Since this article was published, this game has been called off due to a coronavirus outbreak in the Bristol Rovers squad. A new date for the game will be confirmed in due course.

Just one point and one place separates Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers in the League Two table ahead of their meeting on Wednesday evening.

The Red Devils are 18th in the standings – six points above the relegation zone – while the Gas are just ahead in 17th.

Match preview

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Both teams will be keen to return to action having not played since December 11 due to their last two matches being postponed.

Goals from George Francomb and Kwesi Appiah earned Crawley a 2-1 win away at Leyton Orient in their last fixture – only their second victory in nine league matches.

However, John Yems's side have not won back-to-back games since September and have taken just one point from their last five home fixtures.

Nonetheless, despite their inconsistent form, the Red Devils have only failed to score in one of their last 15 matches.

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Rovers are in a similar position, having found the net in 13 of their last 14 games despite failing to get many points on the board.

A 4-2 triumph over Rochdale in their most recent outing was their first win in five matches, with Aaron Collins and Harry Anderson scoring in the final six minutes to secure the victory.

Joey Barton's side have only won two of their 10 league away matches this season but have also lost just one of their last six on the road.

Substitute Leon Clarke scored within 90 seconds of his Bristol Rovers debut in a 1-0 win for the Gas over Crawley earlier in the season; that was their third successive victory over the Red Devils.

Team News

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Both teams' last two games have been postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests in their squads, so it is likely that some players will still be affected.

The break in action may have helped Crawley get injured players such as Jordan Tunnicliffe, Nick Tsaroulla, Tom Dallison and Jack Payne back to fitness.

Kwesi Appiah has scored seven goals in his last 10 appearances and has found the net five more times than anyone else in the Red Devils squad this season.

Sam Finley and Cian Harries remain suspended for Bristol Rovers following their red cards against Port Vale three weeks ago.

Harvey Saunders could be in contention for a place in the matchday squad after two months out with an ankle injury, while Junior Brown and Anssi Jaakkola are also getting closer to returns.

Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Morris; Francillette, Craig, Lynch; Davies, Francomb, Powell, Ferry; Appiah, Nadesan, Nichols

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Hoole, Taylor, Anderton; Anderson, Coutts, Whelan, Clarke; Evans; Collins, Nicholson

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We say: Crawley Town 2-2 Bristol Rovers

The result of this game could hinge on which side is less depleted by COVID-19, but taking that out of the equation we think this should be an entertaining and close contest that is most likely to end all square.

Written by
Olly Allen

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