Preview: Crawley Town vs. Grimsby Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The Red Devils have turned their form around in recent weeks, managing to claw themselves out of the relegation zone, while the visitors are firmly rooted in midtable as we approach the end of the season.

Match preview

There was a point not too long ago when Crawley appeared to be in real danger of losing their EFL status, sitting three points from safety after a 3-0 defeat at Sutton United in early March, however there has since been a remarkable turnaround in form.

In their last four matches, the Red Devils have picked up 10 points, moving themselves up to 22nd in the table, while they also have a game in hand on Hartlepool United, who currently occupy 23rd place.

Scott Lindsey's side have impressed both at home and on their travels, starting their recent run off with a 3-1 victory against Harrogate at the Broadfield Stadium, before following it up with a 1-0 win away at AFC Wimbledon.

Despite their league position, Crawley have looked solid on their own patch for the majority of the season, picking up 27 of their 36 points on home soil, and they put in another solid display at the weekend.

In what was a real relegation six-pointer, the Red Devils ran out 2-0 winners against Rochdale, moving 10 points clear of their opponents in the process, and they will be looking to steer even further clear of the bottom two on Tuesday night.

In their first season back in the EFL, it would be unfair to categorise Grimsby's campaign as anything but a success, picking up 47 points in 36 games to ensure they are at no risk of going back down to the fifth tier.

Given that Paul Hurst's side would move nine points behind sixth-placed Salford City if they won both games in hand, there is a very remote chance they could make a late push for the playoffs, however a midtable finish is looking far more likely at this stage.

The most memorable part of the Mariners' season is likely to be their fantastic run in the FA Cup, defeating the likes of Luton Town and Southampton to reach the quarter-final stage, sparking hopes of reaching Wembley.

It was not to be for Grimsby, suffering a 5-0 defeat away at Brighton & Hove Albion, but it was a monumental effort to even reach that stage of the competition, and the financial benefits could help finance a promotion push next season.

Last time out, the Mariners extended their unbeaten run in League Two to five games, however they were unable to pick up all three points at home to Walsall, with Bryn Morris' early effort being cancelled out early in the second half by Donervon Daniels.

Crawley Town League Two form:

L

L

W

W

D

W

Grimsby Town League Two form:

L

D

W

W

D

D

Grimsby Town form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

D

D

Team News

During Crawley's recent 1-0 win against Wimbledon, Jordon Mutch and Ludwig Francillette were both forced off with hamstring injuries, and there has now been confirmation that they will be ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

In Mutch's absence, Ben Gladwin is likely to partner Jack Powell in the centre of midfield, in what should be a 4-4-2 system, while Joel Lynch will get the nod at centre-back, in light of Francillette's unavailability, playing alongside Dion Conroy, who scored last time out.

As for Grimsby, Hurst has no fresh injury concerns to worry about, but Otis Khan has slowly been building his fitness back up in recent weeks, and could be deemed ready to start on the left of midfield, replacing Danny Amos.

The Mariners have had to make do without a clinical striker all season, with Ryan Taylor failing to score in his last 11 appearances, and Hurst could replace the 34-year-old with Danilo Orsi.

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:

Addai; Gordon, Conroy, Lynch, Ogungbo; Tilley, Gladwin, Powell, Oteh; Telford, Nadesan

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Smith, Waterfall, Maher; Efete, Morris, Green, Khan, McAtee; Lloyd, Orsi

We say: Crawley Town 1-1 Grimsby Town

Both teams are undefeated in their last four League Two games, and so it is too difficult to pick a winner, with the most likely result being a draw.

Crawley are a much-improved since they last took on Grimsby, losing 3-0 at Blundell Park back at the beginning of October, and a victory could do them the world of good in their bid to avoid relegation, potentially able to move seven points clear of the bottom two.

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