It's just four weeks since these sides last met, with United taking the points on that occasion thanks to a late finish from Harry McKirdy.
Winger Nathan Thomas had given the Blues the lead just after the break, but the home side drew level when Elijah Adebayo netted with 20 minutes left to play. James Clarke was given his marching orders for a tug on McKirdy, and the Cumbrians increased the pressure until they got their match winning strike.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Walsall have won three of their four league games since that December meeting, with Leyton Orient, Salford City and Crawley Town all put to the sword.
This has seen the Saddlers climb to mid-table - with a tilt at the play-offs not beyond the realms of possibility should results continue to go this way.
Relegated last term, that outcome will be a definite aim, and teenage winger Jack Nolan has been snapped up from Reading for an undisclosed fee to help with the job at hand.
Caolan Lavery is the front-runner in the scoring charts with seven against his name, and Josh Gordon is snapping at his heels with a respectable six on the tally. Elijah Adebayo has five, including that one against us, and Wes McDonald has pitched in with four.
With January coming to a close both teams want the points, so it's going to be another very tough encounter.
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From Chris Beech ...
Speaking ahead of the game boss Chris Beech said: "Walsall will give us a very strong challenge. I think I said before the new year that they're a workmanlike team with great energy, and they all always give 100 per cent.
"We’ve got another big challenge on our hands with this game. Obviously we played Walsall just last month so Darrell Clarke and his side already know as much about us as we do about them.
"It’s going to be nothing short of a competitive afternoon.
"Everyone in this division is battling for points, and your backing and support is never taken for granted by myself or the players, but it is always appreciated.
"I’ve said it before - together we’re united. You have been magnificent for us home and away, and I'm looking forward to us all doing our bit again this weekend."
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Head to Head
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Walsall wins | |
| League | 16 | 18 | 21 |
| League Cup | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 18 | 23 |
The last time these teams met prior to this season was in April 2014 at Brunton Park. It appeared that an early opening goal from Liam Noble was going to do the trick for the Cumbrians but Michael Ngoo struck late to make it a share of the spoils.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
We were at the Bescot in December 2013 earlier in that campaign and, having hit the woodwork and missed a penalty, the game was lost courtesy of strikes for the home side from Romaine Sawyers and Milan Lalkovic.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
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Man in the middle
Our referee for this fixture is Mr James Oldham. He has taken charge of 18 games so far this season showing 62 yellow cards and four reds.
He was at Brunton Park for his first ever Football League game as the man in the middle for our season opener against Crawley Town. Harry McKirdy and Stefan Scougall scored in the first half, either side of a net bulger from Beryly Lubula, and that was it for the goals as United claimed a 2-1 win. Byron Wesbter went in the book for the home side and Lewis Young was sent off late in the day for the Red Devils.
We saw Mr Oldham again for our first-round Emirates FA Cup meeting with Dulwich Hamlet in November. Olufela Olomola, Harry McKirdy (2) and Mike Jones bagged for the Blues, and Byron Webster and Ryan Loft had their names taken as Carlisle recorded a 4-1 victory.
Mr Oldham ended his time as an official with the National League at Wembley with the play-off final between Salford City and AFC Fylde in May 2019.
Referee - James Oldham
Assistant Referee 1 - Mark Cunliffe
Assistant Referee 2 - Helen Edwards
Fourth Official - Simon Clayton
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Ticket information
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