Crawley Town will aim to arrest a slide in form when they host Tranmere Rovers in League Two this Saturday at Broadfield Stadium. The Reds are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats that have left them 24th in the table with just five points from ten games, a record of one win and two draws from those ten matches.
That defeat, which followed a 2-1 loss at Salford City on Saturday 17 October, means their recent form reads one win, one draw, and three losses from their last five games. They now face a Tranmere team sitting 13th, who arrive off the back of a 1-0 away victory at Northampton Town.
Recent struggles
Crawley's recent results have been mixed. They followed a 2-2 home draw with Chesterfield with a 2-1 defeat at Salford City, before the late disappointment against Shrewsbury. In that match, Ade Adeyemo gave them an early lead and Dylan Morgan equalised late on, but a stoppage-time winner from the visitors sealed the loss.
Their defensive record shows 20 goals conceded this campaign, the second-highest in the division, while they have scored 11, leaving them with a goal difference of minus nine. They currently sit 20 points behind league leaders Salford City.
Team news and opposition
Crawley's last starting lineup featured a 3-4-2-1 shape with Mannone in goal, a back three of Richards, Farquharson and Russell, and Nathan Tinsdale in midfield. Morgan and Adeyemo will be key attacking threats again, with Morgan having also scored in the 2-1 defeat at Salford City.
Tranmere, managed by Nigel Adkins, used a 4-2-3-1 system in their win at Northampton. Their side included experienced figures like Vaulks in midfield and Ironside up front. They have taken seven points from their last five league games, showing more consistency than their hosts.
Saturday's match is the 13th round of the League Two season. A positive result is vital for Crawley to build momentum and start moving up the standings. The game kicks off at 3pm at Broadfield Stadium.
