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

While the home side are currently sat in second place, the visitors are in 20th position after winning only one of their last five league games.

Match preview

Although Stevenage are seven points adrift of league leaders Leyton Orient, they currently enjoy a nine-point cushion over fourth-place Carlisle United.

Steve Evans's side have proven to be a tough team to beat in League Two this season, losing only three of their 22 matches, and they are currently unbeaten in seven league games.

Stevenage have had to settle for consecutive goalless draws in their last two league matches against Mansfield Town and Leyton Orient.

Those goalless scorelines have contributed to Stevenage keeping four clean sheets in their previous five league games, while they also boast the second-best defensive record in the fourth tier.

After winning nine of their 11 home league matches this season, Stevenage will be confident that they can add three more points to their tally on Friday.

Meanwhile, Crawley have won only one of their last five games, with their lat two matches both ending in defeat.

After losing 2-0 to Hartlepool United, Matthew Etherington's side would have been keen to return to winning ways when they faced Sutton United on Boxing Day.

Neither side were able to find the opener in the first period, but Joseph Kizzi gave Sutton the lead just after the hour mark, before Robert Milsom doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Although Aramide Oteh pulled a goal back for Crawley in stoppage time, it was too little too late for the Reds, who fell to a 2-1 defeat, leaving them in 20th place with six points separating them from the relegation zone.

Having failed to win any of their 12 competitive away games this season, Crawley will be keen to round off the calendar year with their first away win of the campaign.

Stevenage League Two form:

D

W

D

W

D

D

Stevenage form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

L

D

Crawley Town League Two form:

W

L

D

W

L

L

Team News

Stevenage are still unable to call upon the services of Elliot List, who has not featured since the first game of the season due to an injury issue.

Terence Vancooten was brought into the backline for the Boxing Day draw against Leyton Orient, and he is set to retain his place in the side, with Evans expected to name an unchanged lineup.

Luke Norris and Danny Rose has both registered five league goals this season, and they will look to add to their respective tallies when they continue their forward partnership on Friday.

As for the visitors, Tom Nicholls will not be included in the matchday squad after it was announced that the forward will join Gillingham for an undisclosed fee on January 1.

Dion Conroy and Tobi Omole are expected to miss out through injury, while Joel Lynch, Ashley Nadsean and James Tilley are doubts after missing the 2-1 defeat to Sutton.

James Balagazi dropped down to the bench on Boxing Day, but he could return to the starting lineup for Friday's contest.

Stevenage possible starting lineup:

Ashby-Hammond; James-Wildin, Sweeney, Vancooten, Piergianni, Earley; Roberts, Reeves, Gilbey; Norris, Rose

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:

Balcombe; Francomb, Francillette, Craig, Tsaroulla; Powell, Hessenthaler, Wells; Fellows, Balagazi, Telford

We say: Stevenage 2-1 Crawley Town

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