Carlisle United v Walsall - team news, form, odds, past meetings and referee

Indeed it is. Just 90 more minutes and then the Blues' exhausting 2020/21 will be a thing of the past.

Nothing is riding on tomorrow's home game against Walsall in terms of the table.

There is still individual and collective pride to play for, though, as the Blues aim to end their campaign on a winning note.

Here's our handy look at the key details of the final Brunton Park clash of term.

TEAM NEWS

Could Chris Beech use the last game of the season to experiment and have a look at a few different options?

The head coach did not sound entirely sold on that approach when asked by the News & Star last weekend.

Could Chris Beech consider changes for the last game of the season? (photo: Richard Parkes)

While saying the likes of Taylor Charters and Josh Dixon have big futures at the club, Beech stressed that, even at this stage of a season, places in his side must be earned.

Many fans would like to see striker Cedwyn Scott given a chance to impress, after being limited to brief sub appearances since his January arrival.

It remains to be seen whether Beech will consider a late-season start for the ex-Hebburn man.

Injury-wise, Offrande Zanzala (hamstring) is one doubt, with defender Rhys Bennett also unlikely to figure.

Centre-half Rod McDonald, who was pictured back on the training ground with the squad by the club this week, could be a candidate to return from a dead leg.

Morgan Feeney, who recently made his first United outing for the reserves, could also come into Beech's thinking.

Dean Furman has been sidelined recently, while Ethan Walker went off with a back problem against Orient.

Other selection decisions for Beech will include whether to stick with Magnus Norman in goal or recall regular No1 Paul Farman.

Danny Devine is among the other players hoping for more action, while Gime Toure will hope for another chance after being left out of the last two matchday squads.

Walsall could have Rory Holden back in their squad after a season hit by a knee injury.

Hayden White pictured during his loan spell with United in 2014 (photo: Barbara Abbott)

The Saddlers are also likely to include Hayden White, who had a loan spell at Carlisle in the 2014/15 season.

FORM

Where United are concerned it depends whether your glass is half-full or half-empty.

Optimists will reflect on a spell which has brought just one defeat in 10 games for a side who will almost certainly end the season in 10th place.

Pessimists will point out that they've won just once in their last seven.

As for the Saddlers - a mixed bag lately; three wins and three defeats in their last six.

That spell followed a grim 14-game winless run which had taken them into the relegation battle under boss Brian Dutton, who stepped up after Darrell Clarke's departure to Port Vale.

The 19th-placed visitors are the division's away-day draw specialists, with 13 draws from their 22 away fixtures so far. They've won four and lost five on their travels; the least away defeats of any League Two side, and the second lowest number of home wins in the division.

Their top marksman for 2020/21, 10-goal Elijah Adebayo, left for Luton in January.

Walsall striker Caolan Lavery (photo: PA)

The current squad's leading scorer is Caolan Lavery, with seven.

ODDS

Carlisle are comfortable favourites to end the campaign with a 13th home league win.

Bookmakers have them odds-on for the victory, with the Blues 4/6 with Smarkets, 8/11 with BetVictor and 13/20 with Bet365.

Walsall are as long as 9/2 for victory with William Hill, and 4/1 with 888Sport and BetFred. 

The draw is 5/2 with GentingBet and 12/5 with Paddy Power.

United's Lewis Alessandra is 4/1 to get the game's first goal, while Cedwyn Scott is 5/1.

Longer shots include Hayden White to get the opener at 70/1 with Betfair - who reckon Magnus Norman has a better chance of scoring the first goal at 35/1.

They know he's the keeper, right?

(source: Oddschecker)

KICK-OFF

It's a 3pm kick-off for the final game of the season.

iFollow is the only way fans can watch the game, with matches continuing to be played behind closed doors because of Covid-19.

Hopefully it's the last time that will be the case.

The News & Star will be reporting from Brunton Park and BBC Radio Cumbria will provide commentary.

REFEREE

Marc Edwards is the man in the middle for this one.

Marc Edwards (photo: PA)

His most recent visit was for the Blues' 3-1 win over Aston Villa's Under-21s in the Papa John's Trophy last November.

There were four bookings that night, as there were on his previous league visit, last season's 0-0 draw with Grimsby.

He encountered Walsall last on December 2 in their 1-1 draw with Stevenage, issuing three yellows.

PAST MEETINGS

The Blues won 2-0 at the Banks's Stadium on January 2 - goals from Omari Patrick and Joshua Kayode sending them top of the league.

The last meeting with the Saddlers at Brunton Park was a 2-1 Carlisle win, Anderton and Loft the scorers last January early into Beech's reign.

Walsall's last win at United's ground was in February 2013, a 3-0 victory courtesy of a Will Grigg hat-trick.

Overall, home and away, United have won 19, drawn 18 and lost 23 of their meetings.

Here's a classic encounter from the YouTube archives. It's March 1995, a time both the Blues and the Saddlers are going for Division Three promotion. Kevin Wilson gives the visitors the lead, before some inspired finishing from David Reeves turns it around for the title-bound Cumbrians...