League Two Tips: Carlisle to be held again

• Walsall can't afford to be over confident
• Sutton relying on home form against Bantams
• Swindon back on winning trail

Both sides likely to score at Brunton Park

Carlisle 2.26/5 v Walsall 3.39/4; the draw 3.613/5

Manager Paul Simpson was left highly frustrated after Carlisle's 3-3 draw at Harrogate. He felt they should have won. The manager had a point: The Cumbrians led twice, before having to equalise in injury time.

It's a little bit the story of their season. They have only won back-to-back games once, which is astonishing for a side that sits seventh. However, but lying in the play-off positions gives them a sense of expectation - even after four points from their past two games put to bed two straight defeats.

The division is so tight, however, that one defeat could leave them 11th, or a win take them to fourth. There is plenty to like about their youthful attack and midfield. Taylor Charters gave them the lead on Tuesday before Ryan Edmonson, a summer signing from Leeds, gave it to them again. And Owen Moxon, who has stepped up from Annan Athletic, bagged the late equaliser. If only Kristian Dennis could have kept up his goal-a-game start to the season, the Cumbrians might be in the top three.

What can we expect at Brunton Park against the Saddlers? The hosts have only suffered one defeat at home this season, to Leyton Orient three weeks ago. Previously they had not faced the toughest sides. Walsall, in 12th, seem to have been making up for lost time in recent weeks, with four wins and a draw from six. Boss Michael Flynn has finally got some consistency going, perhaps. However, Opta point out they have not won three in a row since December 2020

Confidence will have been further boosted after beating Wycombe in the FA Cup last weekend, earning a home tie in two weeks time - at home to Carlisle! Imagine the bragging rights and confidence levels if they could go into that above Carlisle in the League Two table.

However, for this game, Walsall's away form is not that great, winning once, scoring six and conceding nine. Those recent wins have come against sides who are not high fliers this season. Recent scorers Isaac Hutchinson and Danny Johnson (who has nine) will surely be mindful of over confidence. They have conceded in six of their eight away games. Harrogate have conceded three goals in each of their last three league games (D1 L2), the last League Two side to concede 3+ goals in four consecutive league games was Oldham in October 2020.Both sides will fancy their chances of winning and that could lead to a scoring draw.

Bradford to Cook up a point at Sutton

Sutton United 2.77/4 v Bradford City 2.6413/8; the draw 3.613/5

Another draw could ensure between two sides whose winning momentum seems to have stalled. It seemed a bit ironic that Bradford managed to beat fellow promotion hopefuls Mansfield on Tuesday having drawn with Crawley and Grimsby as part of a run of three draws in a row.

Mark Hughes knows Bradford are capable of winning at Sutton. He admitted they were "flat" in their shock FA Cup defeat to Harrogate last weekend. However, they did survive a wobble after Matty Platt was sent off in strange circumstances on Tuesday, to beat the Stags 2-1 and build a gap to their playoff rivals. Defender Platt pulled an opponent's shirt for one yellow, then another for kicking the ball away in frustration.

Andy Cook had already scored a stunner to net his 11th of the season but other like Tyreik Wright or Richard Smallwood need to get past three to ensure that the main striker is not marked out of games and their threat is blunted.

Sutton have been strong at home throughout their 16 months in the EFL, but after one win and two draws in their past six Matt Gray's men need to find some momentum quickly.

Sutton are winless in their last three home league games (D1 L2), only once in the Football League have they failed to win four consecutive home league games, a run of four draws in January/February.

Will Randall-Hurren creates enough chances from midfield, and is top scorer with three, but Omar Bugiel and Donovan Wilson need to put more away. Battening down the hatches and looking for breaking away for a goal might be a good tactic.

Leaders should be too strong for Harrogate

Harrogate Town 3.814/5 v Leyton Orient 2.26/5; the draw 3.613/5

Midweek results - or the FA Cup - have rarely been any barometer of form. Which means league leaders Leyton Orient can put a midweek defeat at AFC Wimbledon and a cup exit at Crewe behind them with a swift return to winning ways at Harrogate.

The hosts are themselves not known for wins at home (two in League Two) and in the FA Cup defeated high-flying Bradford. Simon Weaver's Sulphurites are finding life tougher now they are "settled" in the EFL.

They have conceded in their past eight matches and top scorers Alex Pattison and Matthew Daly might have to be at their very best to break down Orient's defences, which were breached twice - a rarity - on Tuesday on a heady night in West London.

A 2-0 reverse by the Wombles was the first match in three League Two games in which Richie Wellens side had conceded. Cleansheets have been a hallmark of their success: the Os have registered 10, albeit only three away. Nonetheless they have five away wins and a +5 goal difference on their travels.

Harrogate have conceded three goals in each of their last three league games (D1 L2), say Opta. The last League Two side to concede 3+ goals in four consecutive league games was Oldham in October 2020. Whether or not they concede that many, there still seems a strong chance their opponents can outscore them.

A second loss in 17 was no time for over-reaction, insisted Wellens, who added he would "sign a new contract tomorrow" if it was offered, at a club he "loves" which is at the "beginning" of a progression project.

Paul Smyth (7) just needs to cajole Aaron Drinan (2) into scoring as many as he did last year (13) to maintain Orient's focus.

Swindon on a roll

Swindon Town 2.47/5 v Tranmere 3.39/4; the draw 3.55/2

A thumping by Stockport in the FA Cup could be a "blessing in disguise" according to manager Scott Lindsey. Why? It is better to play poorly in the cup when promotion is the aim.

The result certainly brought a great run to a juddering halt. An impressive 5-2 win at Mansfield was preceded by a draw at Bradford and wins over Hartlepool and Colchester, all of which propelled the Robins into the top seven.

A return to proper - regular - standards will be required here, such as Jonathan Williams or Luke Jephcott scoring, as they continue to fill the shoes of Harry McKirdy after his exit to Hibernian.

Tranmere, who have flirted with reaching the playoffs, have their own feet to refind, having suffered a four-game winless streak in League Two, the last two without scoring. Opta say they last went three without scoring in November 2021, so it is pretty rare. Much looked promising befoer that, when they won five games in a row without conceding. Had top scorers Kane Hemmings or Elliott Nevitt found the net in eight match, this game could have been a real battle for a playoff position between.