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

Stevenage will try to extend their unbeaten run in League Two to eight matches when they play host to Crawley Town on Friday.

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

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

In their last two league matches, Stevenage have had to settle for consecutive goalless draws 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 head into Friday's fixture without a permanent manager following the announcement that Matthew Etherington has left his position after just 32 days in charge.

Etherington's tenure last only three games, which began with a 2-0 win over Swindon Town, before they suffered consecutive defeats against Hartlepool United and Sutton United.

Crawley played out a goalless first half in their Boxing Day meeting with Sutton, but they fell behind following goals from Joseph Kizzi and Robert Milsom.

Although Aramide Oteh pulled a goal back in stoppage time, it was too little too late as Sutton held firm to claim a narrow 2-1 victory, which ultimately proved to be Etherington's final game as Crawley boss.

Friday's visitors are currently six points above the drop zone, and after failing to win any of their 12 competitive away games this season, they will be keen to round off the calendar year with their first away victory of the 2022-23 campaign.

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

Stevenage have won nine of their 11 home games this term, and we think that they will record another victory when they face a Crawley side who are still searching for their first away win of the season.

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