Colchester have bounced around inside the play-off places for a number of weeks now, but four defeats from their last six outings has seen them slip down to eighth spot as those around them have continued to pick up victories.
Last weekend's home loss at the hands of Cheltenham caused that drop, as others capitalised with winning outcomes, but they demonstrated at Salford two weeks ago that they are still serious contenders.
They've been a tough team to beat all season, having lost just five league games before that stuttering February run kicked in, and the 37 goals they've conceded is amongst the best in the division.
With 10 games left to play they know there'll be no quarter given as, at the moment, four teams tussle for sixth and seventh places, but that can change dramatically as others push on to try to take advantage of any end-of-season nerves.
Theo Robinson [11] and Luke Norris [9] have 20 goals between them, but there is plenty of support on that score with goals coming from all over the pitch.
It'll be another good test, but just one defeat in nine for the Beech Boys means the hosts will be in confident mood as they take to the Brunton Park playing surface.
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Chris Beech ...
Speaking ahead of the weekend game, the head coach said: "Colchester have been playing well under John McGreal and we have to be aware of that. They have players who know their roles, and collectively they can be a very effective team.
"We saw that in what was one of my first away games, when they were clinical in front of goal and they took the points off us. That's what they're capable of, but there have been changes for both sides since then.
"We have certainly made ourselves harder to beat. I think I say this every week, but whoever the opposition is, it still comes down to what we do that matters.
"That's why I feel that any talk of being able to look beyond the next game can be false. There's still almost a quarter of the season left for us to play, and that matters. It matters that we do things right, that we keep improving, that we continue to demand more from each other, because there is so much for everyone still to play for.
"The three-point feeling is massive in this business. I want more of it for the players, the staff, the fans and everybody connected with the club."
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Did You Know?
+ The U’s originally formed because Colchester’s existing team, Colchester Town, were reluctant to turn professional. Colchester United then stepped in as a professional outfit.
+ Colchester were named as the ‘Pride of Anglia’ in 2006/07 when they finished above local rivals Norwich and Ipswich in the Championship.
+ Fans voted for a club ‘Cult Hero’ in 2004, with ex-Newcastle man Lomana Lua Lua coming out on top.
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Head to Head
The sides have met on 48 occasions over the years with the U's slightly shading the victories with 20 to United's 17.
| Carlisle wins | Draws | Colchester wins | |
| League | 17 | 11 | 19 |
| League Cup | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 11 | 20 |
We were at Colchester just before Christmas in 2019 and it was a day where Colchester took their chances and claimed the victory.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The February meeting during the 2018/19 season brought a hard-fought draw, with Hallam Hope giving the Blues the lead just after half time. The U's upped their game and they got their reward with an equaliser from Frankie Kent with just six minutes left to play.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Colchester were at Brunton Park just before Christmas that season for a game that went the way of the home side thanks to a blistering second half display. Hallam Hope had set the tone with a goal just before the break, and Jerry Yates, Jamie Devitt and Danny Grainger wrapped things up as they hit the back of the net in a second period which was all about the Blues.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The first meeting of these teams during the 17/18 season was for our October visit to Essex. It was a tight game, with both sides creating good chances, but a superb finish from Jamie Devitt proved to be the difference when he got on the end of a long ball forward before calmly slotting it beneath Walker's dive to find the bottom corner.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Back up at Brunton Park in February 2018 and Courtney Senior gave the visitors the upper hand with a well taken goal just before the break. The Blues came out for the second half in determined mood and Jamie Devitt pounced once more to claim a point for his side with just 10 minutes left on the clock.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
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Man in the middle
Our referee for this game is Mr Thomas Bramall. He has taken charge of three games so far this season, showing four yellow cards and no reds.
We met him for the first time as our main match official for the Yeovil Town home game at the end of October 2018. It was ultimately a disappointing day for the Blues, as we lost the game to a late, late deflected Tom James free kick, but the cards stayed in the pocket and there were no names taken on the day.
He was in charge again, a month later, in November 2018 for our 1-1 away draw with Notts County. Jerry Yates bagged our late equaliser and, once again, there were no Carlisle names taken.
Referee - Thomas Bramall
Assistant Referee 1 - Billy Smallwood
Assistant Referee 2 - David Avent
Fourth Official - Simon Clayton
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Ticket information
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