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

At a time when the home side sit in 19th position in the standings, Hartlepool make the long trip South sitting bottom and two points adrift of safety.

Match preview

When Lewis Young was placed in interim charge upon the departure of Kevin Betsy, Crawley had accumulated six points from 12 matches, making them clear candidates to drop down to the National League.

While that still remains the case, Young delivered 12 points from seven games before recently handing the reins to Matthew Etherington, who is aware that he is under pressure to deliver in his first senior managerial role.

Nevertheless, a 2-0 triumph over Swindon Town last time out got Etherington's reign off to the perfect start, and Crawley now sit seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Furthermore, three clean sheets have now been posted in four outings, providing the Red Devils with the foundations to ensure that they do not have to worry about demotion to the fifth tier as the season progresses.

From Hartlepool's perspective, they will be delighted to have reached the third round of the FA Cup with wins over Solihull Moors and Harrogate Town.

However, despite being able to look forward to a home tie with Stoke City on January 8, the focus of Keith Curle and his players is currently on trying to move outside of the bottom two.

That was made more difficult by a 5-0 defeat to Stockport County last time out, and the M Hangers are now without a clean sheet in 14 matches in all competitions.

Although Curle has generally had a positive impact since his arrival in September, Hartlepool have now lost seven of their most recent eight outings in League Two.

With games against Crawley and another potential rival in Newport County to come, the pressure is on to end that run in a bid to get back to 22nd place and higher.

Crawley Town League Two form:

D

D

W

L

D

W

Crawley Town form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

D

W

Hartlepool United League Two form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

Hartlepool United form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

W

L

Team News

Etherington is expected to make at least one change to his Crawley XI with Teddy Jenks having needed to be withdrawn in the early stages last time out.

Should the youngster not be passed fit, James Tilley will be recalled in his place in midfield, and that could prove to be the only alteration.

Curle is likely to tinker with his Hartlepool XI far more excessively with Wesley McDonald likely to be among the players who are brought into the team.

Clarke Odour could return in a wide area, with Reghan Tumilty and Jake Hastie both seeing their places at risk down the right.

Brody Paterson will also feel that he is in contention for an opportunity down the opposite flank.

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:

Balcombe; Francomb, Francillette, Lynch, Tsaroulla; Powell, Tilley, Hessenthaler; Balagizi; Nadesan, Telford

Hartlepool United possible starting lineup:

Killip; Tumilty, Menayese, Murray, Ferguson; Sylla, Featherstone, McDonald; Odour, Umerah, Cooke

We say: Crawley Town 2-1 Hartlepool United

Having reached the FA Cup third round, Hartlepool's form is not as bad as it seems at first glance. Nevertheless, Crawley appear to be a team who are on the up, and they are playing with enough belief to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.

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