Sutton United are still searching for their first win of the season, having picked up two points from their opening five matches.
Carlisle United, relegated from League One last season, have started with three wins and two draws. They are currently sitting two points off the top of the table.
Andy’s Bet Club’s football analyst will break down Carlisle United’s recent clash with Braintree Town to see what the statistics indicate about how they might set up against Sutton United.
Carlisle United vs Braintree Town
Carlisle United dominated this game in almost every area. They created 3.15 xG but scored five goals, showing a clinical edge in front of goal, helped by an own goal and a penalty.
Their overall shot accuracy was high at 54%, and notably, their accuracy from distance was even better at 75% from eight shots outside the box.
In build-up play, Carlisle relied less on long balls, attempting 47 compared to Braintree’s 61. Instead, they focused on moving the ball forward, completing 92 progressive passes to Braintree’s 70 at a high 79% accuracy. They also matched Braintree for back passes despite having more of the ball, showing their preference for forward or sideways play.
Out of possession, Carlisle were strong too. They won 69% of their defensive duels and made 45 interceptions, underlining their physicality and effective pressing to break up attacks.
Final Thoughts:
Carlisle have been strong at both ends of the pitch in their opening games, averaging 2.4 goals scored and only 0.8 conceded per match.
Interestingly, despite that dominance in terms of goals, they have averaged just 49% possession. They achieve this by playing fewer back and sideways passes than their opponents, while completing considerably more progressive passes into the final third.
If they continue this approach, it will be very different from what Sutton have faced so far this season. Sutton’s opponents have averaged 63 back passes per game, while Carlisle have averaged just 33. Carlisle also averaged 84 progressive passes, compared to the 75 Sutton have faced.
For Sutton, one possible way to score will be to keep their shots close to the goal. They have averaged a shooting distance of 17.3 metres, compared to the 20 metres Carlisle’s opponents have averaged. If they can maintain this, it could present Carlisle with a new challenge and give Sutton the opportunity to create higher-quality opportunities.
If you liked this football statistical preview, you can see expert football betting tips on Andy’s Bet Club, as well as a list of the best UK betting sites too. 18+, Please Gamble Responsibly.
