Latics play their second game in a week against Cumbrian opposition, this time travelling North to take on the Carlisle United (3pm KO).
An 89th minute winner from Scott Quigley meant that Harry Kewell’s side were dealt with a bitter blow last time out against Barrow.
Form Guide
The Cumbrians are currently on a dip of form, having picked up just one point from their last four games.
Prior to this, the side had been performing well and had won six of the eight games that came before the recent slump in fortunes.
Going without a win in four games has seen United drop out of the play-off spots and into 10th place, however they do have at least two games in hand on everyone above them in the table so a promotion place remains in their hands at this stage.
The Cumbrians’ last six:
- Carlisle United 2-3 Tranmere Rovers
- Salford City 1-1 Carlisle United
- Harrogate Town 1-0 Carlisle United
- Carlisle United 1-2 Forest Green Rovers
- Carlisle United 1-0 Exeter City
- Walsall 0-2 Carlisle United
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 86
Latics wins: 28
Carlisle wins: 37
Draws: 21
Scored: 133
Conceded: 138
The sides have already met twice this season; once in the Carabao Cup and once in Sky Bet League Two, with both being at Boundary Park.
In the first game of the season, they played in the opening round of the Carabao Cup. Goals from Ben Garrity, Bobby Grant and Conor McAleny saw Latics ease into the next round with a 3-0 win to start the campaign on the front foot.
However, when the sides met in league action the points were shared with Zak Dearnley cancelling out Aaron Hayden’s opener to earn Latics a 1-1 draw.
Team News
It looks like Zak Dearnley is still out for the time being with an injury setback along with Ben Garrity, whilst Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is close to a return with Sido Jombati back available for selection after serving his one game suspension from Tranmere.
Marcus Barnes and Andrea Badan are both battling knocks from the midweek game and may also miss out.
It is expected Brice Ntambwe will still be on compassionate leave with Bobby Grant, Carl Piergianni and Dylan Fage all close to getting back into Kewell's matchday squad.
Watch Out For
Joshua Kayode is likely to cause Latics a few problems.
The 20-year-old striker is on loan at the Cumbrians from Championship side Rotherham United.
With bags of pace, Kayode has the attributes to give any defence nightmares at this level and he was on target in Carlisle’s last game; scoring the opener in their 3-2 defeat against Tranmere Rovers.
That goal was his fifth of the season and the forward will be keen to improve on that record when Latics come to Brunton Park.
Kayode is yet to play for his parent club but has had loan spells with Chesterfield, Gateshead and Carlisle United.
Latics fans may remember Kayode playing against their side in the FA Cup for Gatehsead and the energetic forward was a constant pain for the Oldham defence and was unlucky to be on the losing side in the North East.
In addition, the striker has been capped at Under-21 level for the Republic of Ireland and has registered one goal in his two appearances.
Familiar Face
Current Carlisle midfielder Dean Furman played 148 times for Latics between 2009 and 2013.
Furman spent nine years as part of the youth set up at Chelsea before moving north of the border to Rangers to get his first taste of senior football.
He got his first taste of English football at Bradford City in August 2018, arriving on a loan deal from Rangers.
At the end of his season with the Bantams, Furman joined Oldham Athletic, signing an initial three-year deal in June 2009.
Whilst at Boundary Park, Furman’s accolades include being awarded the Football League Goal of the Year for a strike against Notts County in August 2010 and being made captain for the 2011/12 season, aged just 23.
His next club was Doncaster Rovers, who he joined on an initial loan deal which was made permanent after he helped them to the League One title.
After his spell at the Keepmoat, Furman returned to his home country to join up with SuperSport United and he made over 100 appearances for the club before making his return to English football with Carlisle.
The Cape Town born midfielder has been capped 56 times for South Africa and has even had the honour of captaining his country.
In The Dugout
Chris Beech is the man in the dugout for the hosts.
He was appointed on the 26th November 2019 as the Head Coach of Carlisle after the departure of Steven Pressley.
This is Beech’s first permanent posting as a manager, but he has had a caretaker stint at Rochdale as well as being Keith Hill's assistant at Spotland.
Stadium
Brunton Park
Capacity: 17,949
Record Attendance: 27500 (v Birmingham City 5th Jan 1957)
Opened: 2nd September 1909
Match Officials
The referee this weekend is Carl Boyeson.
Taking charge of 19 games so far this season, he has handed out 69 bookings with no red cards yet.
Iroincally, the East Yorkshire official's last game involving Latics and Carlisle was the opening fixture of this season, the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory where four bookings were given.
He will be assisted by Peter Gooch and Bradley Hall, with Scott Williams as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Carlisle are priced as big favourites for this clash and are 3/4 to make a return to form.
Latics on the other hand are 16/5 to put on another impressive display on the road and 11/4 is available for the draw.
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How To Follow The Game
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown talk you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.