Contents
- Competition: England - National League
- Date: Tuesday, 24th, March 2026
- Kickoff: 19:45 UK / 20.45 CET
- Venue: The Shay (Halifax)
Seeking to tighten their grip on a playoff spot, FC Halifax Town welcome promotion-chasing Carlisle United to The Shay on Tuesday evening for a high-stakes encounter in the National League.
vs Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Carlisle United
2 : 0
Halifax Town
Enterprise National League
-
Carlisle United
3 : 0
Halifax Town
Club Friendlies 1
The head-to-head record between the two sides remains evenly balanced, with each team registering three victories, although draws have been the most frequent outcome, as the points have been shared on six occasions.
Halifax team overview
Halifax capitalised on Southend’s weekend slip-up in emphatic fashion, delivering a commanding attacking display as they swept aside Solihull Moors with three unanswered goals on the road, a result that propelled them back into the playoff picture.
After a stuttering spell throughout February, during which they managed just six points from a possible 21, the Shaymen have timed their resurgence to perfection and now appear to be gathering serious momentum, heading into this contest on the back of three consecutive victories.
With little to no margin for error and only a handful of fixtures remaining, Adam Lakeland’s men are fully aware that Tuesday’s encounter represents a pivotal moment in their promotion push, where converting home advantage into defensive resilience could prove decisive.
Encouragingly, Halifax have no fresh injury or suspension concerns, leaving them well-equipped to face the third-placed side at full strength.
Last matches of
-
Solihull Moors
0 : 3
Halifax Town
Enterprise National League
-
Halifax Town
3 : 2
Boreham Wood
Enterprise National League
-
Hartlepool United
0 : 1
Halifax Town
Enterprise National League
-
Halifax Town
2 : 2
Sutton United
Enterprise National League
-
Halifax Town
2 : 2
Rochdale
Enterprise National League
lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Sam Johnson
Defenders
-
36
Thierry Latty-Fairweather
-
5
Shaun Hobson
-
24
Ashley Palmer
-
15
Will Smith
-
19
AJ Warburton
Midfielders
-
27
Jay Turner-Cooke
-
30
Cody Johnson
-
4
Will Hugill
Forwards
-
8
Josh Hmami
-
9
Will Harris
Carlisle United team overview
Meanwhile, Carlisle United make the trip to West Yorkshire in buoyant spirits after producing a ruthless attacking performance over the weekend, dismantling Boston United in a commanding 6-2 victory to further cement their position in third place in the National League standings.
Under the experienced guidance of Mark Hughes, the Cumbrians have developed a reputation as a formidable force on their travels, a status underlined by an impressive return of 11 away victories this season, and they will be eager to continue showcasing their resilience on hostile ground.
While a significant 16-point gap to league leaders Rochdale suggests that the title race may be beyond their reach, Carlisle’s primary focus now shifts towards securing the highest possible playoff seeding, making this clash against fellow promotion contenders Halifax Town all the more crucial.
Although Irish forward Georgie Kelly remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a calf injury, Carlisle will take encouragement from the return of Callum Whelan and experienced striker Charlie Wyke to full training ahead of this encounter.
Last matches of
-
Carlisle United
6 : 2
Boston United
Enterprise National League
-
Tamworth
2 : 1
Carlisle United
Enterprise National League
-
Aldershot Town
0 : 2
Carlisle United
Enterprise National League
-
Carlisle United
2 : 2
Southend United
Enterprise National League
-
Eastleigh
1 : 2
Carlisle United
Enterprise National League
lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Gabriel Breeze
Defenders
-
12
Ryan Galvin
-
5
Morgan Feeney
-
26
Bevis Mugabi
-
31
Hayden Atkinson
Midfielders
-
20
Alex Gilliead
-
37
Harvey Macadam
-
10
Regan Linney
-
16
Stephen Wearne
-
7
David Ajiboye
Forwards
-
29
Luke Armstrong
Prediction
This fixture promises to be a captivating tactical battle between two sides with everything to play for as the National League season reaches its crescendo. FC Halifax Town enter the contest with the wind in their sails, and their newfound defensive resilience at The Shay will certainly make life difficult for the visitors. Adam Lakeland has drilled his side into a cohesive unit that thrives on disrupting the rhythm of the division's heavyweights.
However, Carlisle United possess a clinical edge and a depth of experience that often proves decisive in these high-pressure mid-week encounters. Given Halifax’s desperate need for points to cement their playoff spot and Carlisle’s ambition to secure a top-three finish, we expect an open, end-to-end encounter. Neither side is particularly adept at playing for a goalless draw, and with the tactical setups favouring attacking transitions, the net is expected to bulge at both ends of the pitch on Tuesday night.
Four Reasons we expect BTTS - Yes
- Halifax have scored at least twice in three consecutive matches at The Shay.
- Three of Halifax’s last five league fixtures have seen at least two goals scored at both ends.
- Four of Carlisle’s last five away matches have ended with both teams finding the net.
- Carlisle have scored 2+ goals in seven of their last nine league outings.
Main prediction -
Both Teams to Score
Best Odds:
vs standings in Enterprise National League
| Regular Season | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochdale | 39 | 30 | 4 | 5 | 77 - 31 | +46 | 94 |
| 2 | York City | 39 | 28 | 8 | 3 | 104 - 36 | +68 | 92 |
| 3 | Carlisle United | 39 | 24 | 6 | 9 | 75 - 48 | +27 | 78 |
| 4 | Boreham Wood | 39 | 22 | 8 | 9 | 80 - 52 | +28 | 74 |
| 5 | Scunthorpe United | 39 | 21 | 10 | 8 | 71 - 55 | +16 | 73 |
| 6 | Forest Green Rovers | 39 | 19 | 11 | 9 | 64 - 45 | +19 | 68 |
| 7 | Halifax Town | 39 | 18 | 8 | 13 | 62 - 55 | +7 | 62 |
| 8 | Southend United | 37 | 17 | 10 | 10 | 61 - 36 | +25 | 61 |
| 9 | Hartlepool United | 38 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 44 - 40 | +4 | 57 |
| 10 | Woking | 37 | 14 | 10 | 13 | 56 - 46 | +10 | 52 |
| 11 | Wealdstone | 38 | 13 | 9 | 16 | 52 - 61 | -9 | 48 |
| 12 | Tamworth | 39 | 13 | 9 | 17 | 52 - 66 | -14 | 48 |
| 13 | Boston United | 39 | 12 | 11 | 16 | 52 - 61 | -9 | 47 |
| 14 | Altrincham | 38 | 14 | 4 | 20 | 45 - 56 | -11 | 46 |
| 15 | Solihull Moors | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 61 - 65 | -4 | 44 |
| 16 | Yeovil Town | 38 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 41 - 55 | -14 | 44 |
| 17 | Sutton United | 39 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 53 - 66 | -13 | 43 |
| 18 | Aldershot Town | 38 | 12 | 6 | 20 | 63 - 73 | -10 | 42 |
| 19 | Eastleigh | 39 | 11 | 9 | 19 | 48 - 68 | -20 | 42 |
| 20 | Brackley Town | 39 | 9 | 10 | 20 | 36 - 63 | -27 | 37 |
| 21 | Gateshead | 39 | 10 | 7 | 22 | 45 - 82 | -37 | 37 |
| 22 | Morecambe | 39 | 8 | 10 | 21 | 57 - 81 | -24 | 34 |
| 23 | Braintree Town | 39 | 8 | 10 | 21 | 31 - 60 | -29 | 34 |
| 24 | Truro City | 39 | 7 | 7 | 25 | 38 - 67 | -29 | 28 |