Keith Curle’s side will be buoyed by a significant win over Rochdale at the Suit Direct Stadium as they look to remain out of the bottom two in League Two.
Josh Umerah and Jack Hamilton helped Pools earn a 2-0 win over Rochdale and both are set to continue in attack at Brunton Park.
Carlisle came from behind to clinch a 3-1 success when the two sides met in October with the Blues, so far, enjoying a strong campaign in the play-off places.
But after a positive result and performance in the win over nine-man Rochdale, Curle has a decision to make as to whether he sticks with the same line-up to face Carlisle or whether to freshen things up with another important fixture against Colchester United to come at the weekend.
And, here at The Mail, we predict our Hartlepool starting XI to take on Carlisle at Brunton Park.
Carlisle came from behind to clinch a 3-1 success when the two sides met in October with the Blues, so far, enjoying a strong campaign in the play-off places.
![Sterry returned from injury and got a useful 60 minutes under his belt. The defender could see similar against Carlisle. (Credit: Tom West | MI News)](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ3NTQ2MmQ2LTMyOTUtNDk4MC1iNjU3LTYwYjdkYWZlZTJmZTo1MzgyN2U3MC1hZTIzLTQzMGEtODYzZS02NGE4OGFlMzE5ZTY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Jamie Sterry
Sterry returned from injury and got a useful 60 minutes under his belt. The defender could see similar against Carlisle. (Credit: Tom West | MI News) Photo: Tom West
![Dolan has started both games since his move back to Hartlepool this month. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjdjMmNmZGIxLTQ5NzktNGRjMi1iMmI3LWQxNWExNDJhZDMwODpjYmRmY2Y1NC1mNzhhLTQwYzQtOTM2YS1iOGE2ZmE5NjhjYTI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Matt Dolan
Dolan has started both games since his move back to Hartlepool this month. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher
![Featherstone is likely to skipper Pools at Brunton Park. (Credit: Tom West | MI News)](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmJlMTY1YjYyLTk1ODItNDcxOC1iMjA3LTc1MmZhYzRiOTA5ZDo0MGMyYzlmYy1jODU1LTQxMTYtYWRlZC1mOTg3Y2ZhNWY1Nzk=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Nicky Featherstone
Featherstone is likely to skipper Pools at Brunton Park. (Credit: Tom West | MI News) Photo: Tom West
![Ferguson was back on the left side for Pools against Rochdale and should continue there against Carlisle. (Credit: Michael Driver | MI News)](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYxOWEzOGM5LTFkYmUtNGI5ZS1iNTRmLTU5OWFjOTQzNTUxODoxNjVlNDIyZS05NThkLTRhNDUtODBhZC0zYjliMzEzZThmYzM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. David Ferguson
Ferguson was back on the left side for Pools against Rochdale and should continue there against Carlisle. (Credit: Michael Driver | MI News) Photo: Michael Driver