Bookmakers have now made Carlisle United odds-on for relegation back to League Two.

The latest prices reflect the Cumbrians’ recent struggles in the third tier.

United have long been outsiders in the division according to the bookies since their promotion.

And their recent slide into the relegation zone has been followed by a cooling of their survival prospects.

United are now 4/5 to go down with LiveScoreBet, 5/6 for relegation with Bet365 and William Hill, and 10/11 for the drop with BetFred.

It is far from the first time Carlisle have been written off by bookmakers, with the Cumbrians having defied predictions in the recent past.

They were rated rank outsiders for promotion last season but still mounted a memorable run to play-off glory.

The latest bookies’ odds represent something else for United to defy as Paul Simpson and his side try to plot a way back up the table.

Carlisle are not in action this weekend with their trip to Barnsley postponed because of the Tykes’ international call-ups.

When United resume league action against Charlton Athletic on November 25 it will be in third bottom position, three points adrift of the safety line.

Cheltenham Town are the short-odds favourites to go down with bookmakers at this stage.

The Robins, second bottom and five points below the Blues, are 1/8 with William Hill to sink into League Two.

They are also favourites to finish bottom of the table at Evens, with United 13/2 for that fate.

Reading, bottom of the table after points deductions, are 1/2 for relegation with William Hill and 4/11 with Bet365.

Fleetwood Town are also fancied to continue struggling at relegation odds of 6/4 (Bet365).

Optimists, meanwhile, can get odds of 12/1 for United to stage an impressive recovery and finish in the top half of the League One table.

Source: Oddschecker.