Bristol Rovers boss Joey Barton expects an attack-minded contest between two form teams when he brings his side to Brunton Park tomorrow.
Carlisle United's opponents have, like the fourth-placed Pirates, won five of their last six games.
Visiting manager Barton says Paul Simpson has clearly had a positive effect on the Blues.
But the Rovers boss feels his own team are capable of beating anyone in the division on current form.
Speaking about the Blues, former Manchester City and Rangers man Barton said: "They’ve done well. They’ve won four of their last five and it’s given them a bit of breathing space in terms of the trap door and going out of the Football League.
"I imagine everyone at the club will be pleased with that. They've got a new manager in Paul and he has gone in and settled everybody down and results breed confidence.
READ MORE: From 6/5 to 90/1 - how the Paul Simpson effect has transformed Carlisle United's relegation odds
"No doubt they’ll be looking forward to the game on Saturday, but again they are a team at the opposite end of the table from us, a team that we have played early on in the season and beat 3-0 on that occasion.
"We have to see we have markedly improved since those days and, no doubt, Carlisle have, so it sets it up for a tough game, but a game we feel if we execute and we play at the level we can, I think we have shown in recent weeks and months we’re more than a match for anybody in the division.
"Carlisle are in form, we’re in form and hopefully that sets it up for a nice, attacking game of football."
Rovers have won eight of their last ten league games to ignite a promotion challenge.
Their last meeting with the Cumbrians in October, meanwhile, proved the last game in charge for former United head coach Chris Beech.
Their side tomorrow is likely to include former United captain Nick Anderton, who swapped Brunton Park for the Memorial Stadium last summer.
Former Blues loan striker Ryan Loft should also be in the visitors' squad - while Newcastle loan star Elliot Anderson is also set to feature.
That is despite the highly-rated 19-year-old having been called up by Scotland's Under-21s.
Barton told BristolLive that Anderson had remained with the Gas squad ahead of the Carlisle trip.
Barton said: "He hasn’t gone away with [Scotland], which is good news for us.
"Losing him would have been a big blow due to his form and how well he has done for us. That is a real positive."
Winger Sam Nicholson and midfielder Jon Nolan could also return from injuries to face the Cumbrians.
READ MORE: Paul Simpson backs Carlisle United's decision to suspend teenage players over social media comments
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