**Carlisle fancy themselves here** — the higher-ranked outfit hosting a National League side in a cup tie where form and experience should matter. 🔵

Carlisle are wobbling a touch in the league (2W-1D-2L), but they've got the pedigree. Tamworth, though, are buzzing with three wins in five and just stung Barrow; underestimating them would be daft.

Key storylines:

- **Carlisle's midfield depth** — H. Bunker and M. Azeez will need to control the tempo against a scrappy Tamworth press
- **Tamworth's second-half energy** — they've shown real grit in recent wins; if this stays tight, their fitness could swing it late
- **Home advantage counts** — Carlisle are 2-1 up in the H2H and play at Brunton Park; expect them to lean on that

Expected lineups:

- **Carlisle United**: A. Desbois, R. Galvin, B. Nicholson, M. Feeney, J. Ellis, H. Bunker, M. Azeez, R. Linney, S. Wearne, D. Ajiboye, G. Kelly
- **Tamworth**: R. Lovett, R. Calder, J. Rye, J. Cullinane-Liburd, O. Dyson, B. Acquaye, M. Roberts, T. Kurtaran, T. McGlinchey, J. Hutchinson, K. Donnelly

Prediction:

**Carlisle 2–1 Tamworth**. Home team edge, but Tamworth grab a goal to keep it spicy. ⚪