Two teams battling against relegation from League One will clash on Saturday afternoon as Crawley Town host Bristol Rovers at The People's Pension Stadium.
The hosts are 22nd in the standings with 30 points from 37 games, while the visitors are 20th in the league table with 42 points from 37 outings.
Match preview
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Crawley Town defied expectations by rising from narrowly avoiding relegation in 2022-23 to earning promotion from League Two in 2023-24, clinching a playoff place and defeating MK Dons and Crewe Alexandra to secure their promotion.
However, the Red Devils have struggled to adapt to life back in the third division, currently placed 22nd in the League One table with 30 points after 37 games, from seven wins, nine draws and 21 defeats.
Scott Lindsay, who guided Crawley to promotion last season, began the new campaign with four wins, one draw and four losses before departing in September to join MK Dons, with Rob Elliot hired as his successor.
However, the former Gateshead boss endured a disastrous stint with the Red Devils, securing just six wins from 33 games, leading to his dismissal following a crushing 5-1 loss to Huddersfield Town last weekend.
Crawley, under the interim management of Louis Storey, now face a daunting task with just nine League One fixtures remaining, needing to overturn a 12-point deficit to avoid relegation, and a win on Saturday could prove particularly crucial.
Bristol Rovers are placed 20th in the League One table, sitting six points above 21st-placed Burton Albion and 12 above Crawley Town, meaning three points on Saturday would extend the gap between the two sides to 15 points, while it could be narrowed to nine with a home victory.
The Gas were enjoying a strong run of one draw and two victories prior to last weekend's matchup with Lincoln City, where Bristol Rovers suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat, leaving them aiming to bounce back on Saturday.
The visitors will be the favourites given Crawley's eight-game winless run, but Bristol Rovers have struggled on the road this term, failing to win away from home since January 4.
Team News
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The hosts may be without Joy Mukena, Ryan Sandford and Dion Conroy for this matchup due to ongoing injury issues, while numerous other changes are expected following the recent 5-1 defeat.
Ade Adeyemo was a rare bright spark in that loss, scoring their only goal of the game, and the forward could come into the starting team on Saturday.
As for the visitors, Kamil Conteh, Chris Martin, Gatlin O'Donkor and Romaine Sawyers are all unlikely to feature due to injury problems, while changes may also take place after the 5-0 loss last time out.
Isaac Hutchinson and Luke Thomas both started on the bench in that defeat but could come into the starting team here, while Scott Sinclair and Ruel Sotiriou may continue in attack.
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Barker, Mullarkey, Radcliffe; Adeyemo, Watson, Fraser, Flint, Kelly; Doyle, Showunmi
Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Ward; Wilson, Taylor, Swinkels; Hunt, Moore, Butcher, Thomas; Hutchinson; Sotiriou, Sinclair
We say: Crawley Town 1-1 Bristol Rovers
The hosts are without a win in eight matches, while the visitors have failed to win on the road since early January, and given the reverse fixture ended in a stalemate, we expect this one to also end all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
