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

With just under a quarter of the season played, the hosts are currently fifth in the table, while the visitors are down in ninth place.

Match preview

Crawley made an average start to the League Two season, taking seven points from their opening five games, but they have really stepped up their game since the beginning of September, and they are now just three points off top spot.

The Red Devils have taken 20 points from their opening 11 games, collecting the vast majority over the past month, having gone on a four-game winning run, chalking up victories over Newport County, Tranmere Rovers, Grimsby Town and Sutton United.

Scott Lindsey's side have been particularly impressive from an attacking point of view, scoring 16 goals in their past six games, and they have developed a habit of finding the back of the net late on, having netted stoppage-time winners against Tranmere and Grimsby.

However, Crawley were unable to get on the scoresheet in their last match, falling to a 2-0 defeat away at Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night to bring their winning run to an end, so they will be looking to bounce back this weekend.

Up to this point, the Red Devils have the best home record in the division, winning five of their opening six games at the Broadfield Stadium, but they are set for a tough test against Hollywood-owned Wrexham on Saturday.

Unlike Notts County, who they were promoted alongside last season, the Red Dragons have not taken League Two by storm, but they have certainly made a steady start to the campaign, having taken 17 points from their opening 11 games.

As such, Phil Parkinson's side are just two points off the playoff places, and three points off the automatic spots, so if they are able to put together a strong run soon they could very easily still be title contenders.

The main thing Parkinson may need to work on is his team's defensive structure, as they have conceded 23 goals this season, the second-highest amount in the fourth tier, but there were positive signs on that front on Tuesday night.

In their trip to Mansfield Town, Wrexham picked up their third clean sheet of the League Two season, playing out a 0-0 draw, but they will be eager to get back to winning ways this weekend, having taken just two points from their past three matches.

Crawley Town League Two form:

D

W

W

W

W

L

Crawley Town form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

L

Wrexham League Two form:

W

W

W

L

D

D

Wrexham form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

D

D

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Team News

Given that they were in action on Tuesday night, Crawley could freshen up their starting lineup this weekend, with Aaron Henry potentially coming into the midfield, having replaced Liam Kelly at half-time against Doncaster.

Jack Roles may come back into the middle of the park, having mainly featured as a substitute over the past few weeks, while there could also be game time for Kellan Gordon.

As for Wrexham, striker Ollie Palmer got the nod on Tuesday night, but the 31-year-old has scored just one goal in his last 10 games, so it would not be a surprise if Steven Fletcher comes into the starting lineup.

22-year-old goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has now overtaken the more experienced Mark Howard in the pecking order, and having kept a clean sheet on Tuesday night, it is likely he keeps his place in the side.

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:

Addai; Johnson, Williams, Wright; Forster, Roles, Kelly, Maguire; Campbell, Tsaroulla, Lolos

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Hayden, Tozer, O'Connor; Mendy, Jones, Evans, Lee, McClean; Mullin, Fletcher

We say: Crawley Town 1-1 Wrexham

Crawley Town have the best home record in League Two, while Wrexham have not been particularly impressive on the road, with their only away win coming against 22nd-placed Tranmere Rovers.

Given that three points separate the two sides in the table, they are clearly evenly-matched, so we are expecting a draw this weekend.

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