Carlisle United v Port Vale: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Carlisle United welcome Port Vale to Brunton Park on Friday for a match that will have a huge bearing on both ends of the League Two table.

The Cumbrians sit second bottom of the standings, six points adrift of safety with four games left to play, but they have given themselves a chance of survival following back-to-back wins over Newport County and fellow strugglers Morecambe.

With an Easter Monday trip to third-bottom Accrington Stanley to come, United could be firmly back in the hunt to retain their EFL status come the end of the bank holiday weekend, but first they must negotiate this clash with table-topping Vale.

Darren Moore's side have won four matches in a row, with last weekend's 5-0 routing of Bromley sending them to the summit.

However, they may have been knocked off their perch by the time they kick off on Friday, with second-placed Bradford City, who are three points below them in the standings, hosting Notts County on Thursday night.

Carlisle United v Port Vale betting tips and predictions

Carlisle draw no bet - 11/8

These two sides have had contrasting fortunes since they came down together from League One last season, with Vale pushing for an immediate return to the third tier, while Carlisle are fighting an uphill battle to avoid back-to-back relegations.

It really has been a dismal couple of years for the Cumbrians, but there could be light at the end of the tunnel following their victories over Newport and Morecambe - their first back-to-back league successes since March 2023.

Home form has been a problem for the United for much of the season, but they have only lost one of their seven matches at Brunton Park since Mark Hughes was appointed as the club's third manager of the campaign in February.

That sequence includes wins over Newport and Bromley, as well as draws with play-off chasing Colchester United and Vale's automatic promotion rivals Walsall.

Those results should have boosted confidence in a squad that has plenty of talent, but that will be put to the test when the Valiants make the trip north.

After an up-and-down first half of the season, Vale have been a picture of consistency since the turn of the year, losing just two of their last 19 league fixtures.

They were on top form against Bromley last Saturday, running in five unanswered goals, although it was a good time to be facing a side that had just mathematically secured their EFL status the previous week.

Delve a little deeper into Vale's record, specifically away from home, and it makes for less convincing reading, with just three wins across their last 11 road trips.

Vale were also beaten 2-1 on their last visit to Carlisle in January 2024 and they may come unstuck again against a rejuvenated home team who cannot afford any more slip-ups.

Given where these two sides are in the standings, it would be hard to go all out on a Carlisle victory, but there could be value in siding with the Cumbrians in the draw no bet market.

Georgie Kelly to score at any time - 4/1

Carlisle's fortunes over the last two seasons can be summed up by forward Georgie Kelly, who joined the club from Rotherham United in February 2024 whilst already carrying an injury.

Kelly has spent plenty of time on the treatment table since and he came into April of this year having made just 18 goalless appearances for the club and having not started a match all season.

However, the Irishman is now fully fit and, since earning his first start of the campaign against Chesterfield on 1st April, he has not looked back, netting a brace in the comeback success over Newport as well as the opener in last weekend's pivotal clash with Morecambe.

In a matter of weeks, Kelly has gone from being ridiculed by the Carlisle supporters to being lauded and he offers good value at 4/1 to continue his hot streak on Friday.

Lorent Tolaj to score at any time - 5/2

Vale may not go on to win this game, but, after netting five against Bromley and scoring in eight successive away games, they are fancied to get on the scoresheet, with the in-form Lorent Tolaj expected to play a key role.

The former Switzerland youth international is Vale's leading scorer this season with 14 goals across all competitions and he has grabbed braces in each of his last two appearances - against Walsall and Bromley.

Tolaj was also on the scoresheet in the home win over Bradford at the start of the month, meaning he has five goals in his last three games, and he will be confident of adding to that tally against a Carlisle defence that is one of the leakiest in the division.

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Carlisle United v Port Vale odds

Carlisle United - 12/5
Draw - 9/4
Port Vale - 11/10

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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