Scunthorpe United lost 4-0 to Exeter last week, with some defending which, especially if compared with the work against Tranmere in the previous hope game, has to go down as embarrassing. The absence of a vocal, powerful midfield enforcer as well as a right wing-back willing or able to engage with the ball in the defensive third left the Iron wide open, but this week's XI should give them a better chance. This match would seem a defining one, because last season when Scunthorpe lost a match, they were often defeated again in the following game. If the Lincolnshire outfit can respond with a solid performance here and travel back from Brunton Park unscathed, they can earn the right to call the Exeter game a bad day at the office rather than a display symptomatic of deeper problems. Carlisle United, meanwhile, are hoping to get their playoff challenge up the ground. The Cumbrians are creating chances but need to find a clinical edge from somewhere. 2:0
Chris Beech has been stubborn in sticking to a 4-3-3 in recent weeks, although Saturday's system could, at a push, flip into a 3-5-2-0, with Lewis Alessandra and Zach Clough operating as false nines, wing-backs Jordan Gibson and Jack Armer flying beyond them. Arsenal loanee Jonathan Dinzeyi could come in for Corey Whelan in central defence. Manny Onariase is one of Scunthorpe's most important players and the athletic defender's return from suspension is a huge boost for Mark Lillis, who will take the side in head coach Neil Cox's absence. Onariase is an excellent defender in his own right, but his availability also means Jai Rowe can return to his usual position of right wing-back - with Ross Millen set to drop out - so a repeat of last week's defensive capitulation looks unlikely. Alex Perry and Hayden Hackney have struggled recently, especially against Exeter, so Tom Pugh and Alfie Beestin may come in either side of sitting midfielder Harry Wood, who has been one of Scunthorpe's better signings in the winter window. Devarn Green and Tyrone O'Neill could come into Scunthorpe's attack for Harry Bunn and Jake Scrimshaw. Jordan Hallam has resumed full training, while Dan Gallimore has come back after a sore thigh. On key striker Ryan Loft, Cox said: "We saw a specialist on Wednesday regarding Lofty and are going to need a second opinion, just to work on the timescale, and that will hopefully be next week. He's been doing running on the training ground though." Key destroyer Alex Kenyon (hamstring) is getting closer to contention, while on-loan goalkeeper Tom Billson is set to miss another three weeks with a knee injury.
Chris Beech has been stubborn in sticking to a 4-3-3 in recent weeks, although Saturday's system could, at a push, flip into a 3-5-2-0, with Lewis Alessandra and Zach Clough operating as false nines, wing-backs Jordan Gibson and Jack Armer flying beyond them. Arsenal loanee Jonathan Dinzeyi could come in for Corey Whelan in central defence. Manny Onariase is one of Scunthorpe's most important players and the athletic defender's return from suspension is a huge boost for Mark Lillis, who will take the side in head coach Neil Cox's absence. Onariase is an excellent defender in his own right, but his availability also means Jai Rowe can return to his usual position of right wing-back - with Ross Millen set to drop out - so a repeat of last week's defensive capitulation looks unlikely. Alex Perry and Hayden Hackney have struggled recently, especially against Exeter, so Tom Pugh and Alfie Beestin may come in either side of sitting midfielder Harry Wood, who has been one of Scunthorpe's better signings in the winter window. Devarn Green and Tyrone O'Neill could come into Scunthorpe's attack for Harry Bunn and Jake Scrimshaw. Jordan Hallam has resumed full training, while Dan Gallimore has come back after a sore thigh. On key striker Ryan Loft, Cox said: "We saw a specialist on Wednesday regarding Lofty and are going to need a second opinion, just to work on the timescale, and that will hopefully be next week. He's been doing running on the training ground though." Key destroyer Alex Kenyon (hamstring) is getting closer to contention, while on-loan goalkeeper Tom Billson is set to miss another three weeks with a knee injury.
Scunthorpe United lost 4-0 to Exeter last week, with some defending which, especially if compared with the work against Tranmere in the previous hope game, has to go down as embarrassing. The absence of a vocal, powerful midfield enforcer as well as a right wing-back willing or able to engage with the ball in the defensive third left the Iron wide open, but this week's XI should give them a better chance. This match would seem a defining one, because last season when Scunthorpe lost a match, they were often defeated again in the following game. If the Lincolnshire outfit can respond with a solid performance here and travel back from Brunton Park unscathed, they can earn the right to call the Exeter game a bad day at the office rather than a display symptomatic of deeper problems. Carlisle United, meanwhile, are hoping to get their playoff challenge up the ground. The Cumbrians are creating chances but need to find a clinical edge from somewhere. 2:0
Scunthorpe United 
Scunthorpe United 
Carlisle United VS Scunthorpe United 