Bookmakers are backing Carlisle United to give their fans some Christmas cheer by beating bottom side Cheltenham Town today.

The crucial clash in the League One relegation zone sees the fourth-bottom Blues seeking a first win in seven league outings.

And Paul Simpson's side are 11/10 with SkyBet to pick up all three points against Darrell Clarke's Robins, and 23/20 with 888Sport.

Cheltenham, after a long goalless start to the season, have improved under Clarke but are 13/5 with Bet365 for a win in Cumbria this afternoon, while BetVictor offer odds of 9/4 for a Robins triumph.

The draw in Brunton Park's last game of 2023 is 12/5.

Joe Garner is the bookies' favourite to land the first blow today with the veteran striker 13/2 for the opening goal.

Luke Plange is 7/1 as is Ryan Edmondson, who got United's second against Northampton Town last time out.

The other Blues scorer last weekend, Jack Armer, is 33/1 for the opener, while top scorer Jordan Gibson is priced 11/1.

For Cheltenham, Will Goodwin has their shortest first scorer odds at 8/1 with Rob Street 9/1 and Tom Pett 18/1.

Carlisle's last win over the Gloucestershire outfit was a 2-0 victory in January 2019 in Steven Pressley's first game in charge.

A similar triumph under Simpson today is 9/1, with a 1-0 home win priced 6/1.

Cheltenham won 2-1 on their last visit to Brunton Park back in November 2020, and they are 12/1 for a repeat today.

A second straight 2-2 draw for the Cumbrians is 14/1 while a goalless draw is 87/10.

Source: Oddschecker.