Both managers will insists it’s no such thing but Saturday’s clash between Scunthorpe and Carlisle is the proverbial six-pointer!
The two Uniteds are separated by goal difference at the wrong end of the table with only Oldham Athletic below them.
It will be a clash between two sides who have picked up seven points from their last six League Two games.
Although Carlisle’s tally has come from two wins and a draw, the Iron can point to an unbeaten sequence of five games – four draws and an important win over Oldham.
Scunthorpe, who threw away a two goal lead to draw 2-2 at Carlisle earlier in the season, have only won three of their 22 games so far.
Keith Hill, touted as favourite for the Carlisle job before Keith Millen was appointed new boss at Brunton Park has made an impact since taking charge of Scunthorpe in November.
After those four draws he got his first win in charge last time out when former Carlisle forward Ryan Loft was able to score a brace in the 3-1 win at Oldham.
Carlisle United also won their last outing, 2-0 at Stevenage, but that was on December 11, with COVID-19 causing postponements since then.
It marked only their fourth win of the season, but it was enough to take them out of the drop zone and the fact that they haven’t dropped back in despite not playing has been a bonus.
Another win could take Carlisle as high as 19th, depending on other results, and importantly would leave them with a game in hand.
Meanwhile Carlisle’s home game against Hartlepool United (scheduled for 8 January) has been pushed back 10 days and will now be played on Tuesday 18 January [kick off 7.45pm] following consultation between the clubs and the EFL.
Pools are in FA Cup action against Blackpool on that second weekend of the new year, with United having rearranged their home game against Bradford for that day.
Tickets will go on sale from Thursday morning for this rearranged fixture.
