Carlisle United vs Exeter City. Sky Bet League Two Play-Offs Semi-Final.
Brunton ParkAttendance9,708.
Sunday 14 May 2017 19:31, UK
Carlisle boss Keith Curle will give Jabo Ibehre and Jason Kennedy until the last minute to prove their fitness for Sunday's Sky Bet League Two play-off showdown with Exeter, live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 6.25pm via the Red Button.
Striker Ibehre was substituted during Saturday's 3-2 away win over the Grecians - which secured the club's place in the top seven - with a hamstring problem after nursing a spasm beforehand, and is now facing a race against time.
Midfielder Kennedy has been sidelined since the beginning of April by a groin problem but is back in full training and pushing for a return. That means long-term absentee Mike Jones is the only man definitely not in contention as the Cumbrians attempt to secure a first-leg foothold.
Exeter pair Craig Woodman and Matt Oakley will rejoin the Grecians' squad after injury. Left-back Woodman has been out since breaking an arm in March and veteran midfielder Oakley has missed the last four games with a hip flexor problem.
Lee Holmes is also at full fitness after an ankle ligament injury but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench. Robbie Simpson is making good progress after breaking an ankle in February, but the play-offs will come too soon for the striker.
Opta stats
Carlisle won both league matches against Exeter this season, beating them 3-2 in November and again on the final day of the season by the same score.
Exeter conceded in the 89th and 90th minute away at Carlisle in November to go from 2-1 up to 3-2 down.
Reuben Reid has found the net in each of his last three games against Carlisle, including both of Exeter's opening goals against them this season.
Carlisle have never progressed from a Football League Playoff semi-final (1993/94 v Wycombe in fourth tier and 2007/08 v Leeds in third tier).
This will be Exeter's first time in the Football League playoffs in any division. They did however win the 2007/08 Conference National playoff beating Cambridge.
The last time a team in sixth place won the League Two playoffs was in 2010/11 (Stevenage).
Prutton's prediction
What a slog of a journey for the fans and players of both teams. You'd think that the home team will have a slight advantage in both legs as they will be slightly fresher. It will be interesting to see if either club fork out to fly to the away leg as it would be a huge edge in terms of preparation. I fancy Keith Curle's men to take a lead back down south.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)
