Oldham found things to be tough going at the start of the season as they went on a run of three defeats to open their league campaign.
Things picked up when a home draw against high-flying Exeter was complemented by an away win at Cambridge, but three more draws in September signalled the end of the line for head coach Laurent Banide.
Former-Stevenage boss Dino Maamria was installed a matter of minutes after the announcement that the hotseat was vacant had been made, and he immediately lifted spirits as he led his new charges to a 3-1 home victory over Morecambe last weekend.
United won both encounters with Oldham last season, but a run of four games without a defeat leading into the weekend game suggests that the visitors have found more than a hint of a stubborn approach.
The main threats come as no surprise with Christopher Missilou, Johan Branger, Mohammed Maouche and David Wheater all weighing in with goals and assists, as they tend to do, and a stated focus on shutting the opposition out could see a more cautious outlook as Maamria begins to really stamps his mark on the team.
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Manager’s thoughts ...
Speaking ahead of the game, manager Steven Pressley said: "It's another team where a new manager has been appointed, but that doesn't make any difference to how we will go about our game.
"Obviously Dino will still be getting to know his players but we think we know where they are strong and where they will look to impose themselves on us. We've talked about that and the players have prepared well for what will be a very good test.
"Like us they'll be looking to build on some of the good results they've had recently so it'll be up to us to make sure we're on our game in every area of the pitch.
"The work has been done, the players are feeling confident and it's now down to making sure we produce a good performance for our home fans on the day."
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Did You Know?
+ Pine Villa was formed in 1895 but on 4 July 1899 they ceased to exist ... however, there were no tears, because the name was changed and the birth of Oldham Athletic came about.
+ Oldham were founder members of the Premier League back in the 1992/93 season, and stayed in the top flight for three seasons - one campaign in the old First Division, two in the Premier League.
+ Latics fell on hard times and were forced to go into administration in the summer of 2003, but some much-needed financial stability was provided when three American-based businessmen - Simon Blitz, Simon Corney and Danny Gazal - purchased the club the following November.
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Head to Head
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Oldham wins | |
| League | 29 | 18 | 25 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Cup | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| League Cup | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 35 | 20 | 27 |
The last meeting between these teams was on Boxing Day last year - and what a day it turned out to be! The Blues scored with almost every shot they had on target, but the afternoon became more notable for a post-match interview which saw then manager John Sheridan talk with a less than positive attitude about the players in his dressing room.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The first game between these teams last season was in October 2018 at Boundary Park. United deservedly took the lead when Macaulay Gillesphey kept the ball alive at the back post. His header invited Hallam Hope to steam in and apply the finishing touch. Hope turned provider to set up Ashley Nadesan early in the second half, and a wonderful piece of skill from Jack Sowerby wrapped things up just two minutes later. Oldham bagged a consolation with 20 minutes left to play, but there was little else they could do to eat into United's lead.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Prior to that, our visitors were up here at Brunton Park for an FA Cup first round fixture at the beginning of November 2017. Oldham lad Richie Bennett bagged a brace and, along with a good finish from Hallam Hope, that was enough to see the Blues through to the next round despite second half goals from Peter Clarke and Aaron Holloway.
Watch the GoPro highlights from that game here:
Rewind another year and we were the guests of the Latics for what turned into an unbelievable game in the Checkatrade Trophy group stages. Billy McKay opened the scoring for the hosts, and it all sparked up from there, to say the least.
Michael Raynes, Tom Miller, Reggie Lambe and Charlie Wyke scored for United (complemented by an own goal from Cameron Burgess) and Darius Osei (2) and Oliver Banks added to the net bulging to bring it to a 5-4 conclusion in favour of the Cumbrians.
There was even time for Macaulay Gillesphey to get sent off along the way.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
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Man in the middle:
The referee for this game is Mr Marc Edwards. Marc has taken charge of six games so far this season showing 14 yellow cards and no reds.
New to the EFL this season, this is our first fixture with him as the man with whistle.
Referee - Marc Edwards
Assistant Referee 1 - Graeme Fyvie
Assistant Referee 2 - Conor Brown
Fourth Official - Natalie Aspinall
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Ticket information
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Click HERE to purchase your tickets online.
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