We take a look at everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's big game at Brunton Park.
Carlisle United v Barrow
Saturday 3rd October 2020, 3pm
Brunton Park
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
There is big excitement this weekend as the first Cumbrian derby between Carlisle United and Barrow in almost 60 years takes place at Brunton Park.
The fixtures against Carlisle were one of the first things Bluebirds fans looked out for when their historic League Two schedule was revealed back in August.
Now the first of the encounters have come around early in the season and the Cumbrian bragging rights will be up for grabs for the first time since 1964.
Carlisle have had an inconsistent start to the new campaign; their 2-0 win over Southend United las time out on home soil is their only victory and they’ve lost their other four games in all competitions.
Head To Head
Saturday’s game will be the first time that Barrow and Carlisle United have met in competitive action since April 1964.
The 1963/64 season is the last time the two clubs shared a division and it was Carlisle who edged it that year, enjoying a 4-1 triumph on home soil having drawn 2-2 in Barrow earlier in the campaign.
The overall record in the fixture is quite tight though; Carlisle have won slightly more times (23) but Barrow (21) can close the gap on Saturday if they come away with three points.
One To Watch
Gime Toure will be hoping to prove his fitness and take his place in the Carlisle line-up this weekend and, if he does, the Barrow defenders will have to be on their toes.
The French front man is blessed with a lot of pace and plenty of trickery, which has already been on display since he made a switch to Brunton Park from Hartlepool United during the summer.
Toure scored some spectacular goals during the first half of last term for Pools and he is capable of conjuring something from nothing so he will need patrolling carefully if he makes it on to the pitch.
Team News
David Dunn has a few injury concerns going in to the game but has been boosted by the arrival of defender Yoan Zouma who comes in to contention for a debut.
Carlisle boss Chris Beech sent Omari Patrick to see a specialist after he missed last weekend’s game at Scunthorpe United with a leg injury, while Gime Toure hopes to shake off a dead leg in time to face The Bluebirds.
Referee
Ben Toner will referee his first Barrow league game this weekend when he’s on the whistle for our derby clash with Carlisle United at Brunton Park.
He has presided over The Bluebirds a couple of times in FA Cup qualifiers in the past, seeing us draw 0-0 with Telford and losing 3-0 to Newport County.
The experienced official is now moving in to his sixth season on the EFL’s list of referees and has already been busy this term, taking charge of five matches so far.
Toner’s most recent outing came at Vale Park last weekend when he saw fellow League Two new boys Harrogate Town draw 0-0 with Port Vale.
Betting
Carlisle have been installed as 6/5 favourites for three points this weekend, while Barrow are rated a 21/10 shot for victory and you can back the game ending in a draw at odds of 23/10.
Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.
Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow Barrow are now available – fans are reminded that Season Ticket holders do not get free access to away games.
You can buy a Match Pass to watch the action now priced at £10, while oversea supporters pay £7.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for Saturday.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of Saturday’s game when we link up with BBC Radio Cumbria who will describe all the action as it unfolds.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.