A look ahead to the Boxing Day home game against Stevenage
The Reds welcome Stevenage to the Checkatrade.com Stadium for the Sky Bet League 2 Boxing Day fixture, kick off 3pm.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Michael BullReferee:
: Ashvin Degnarain and Ryan T AtkinAssistants
: Darren BlundenFourth Official
hereFor more information on the officials click
TEAM NEWS
Lanre Oyebanjo (knee) and Joe McNerney (knee) are still missing for the Reds. Striker Rhys Murphy, who scored nine goals during his loan spell from Oldham, returned to Boundary Park after last Saturday's defeat to Barnet so manager Mark Yates will have to make at least one change.
Fraser Franks (medial ligament) and Connor Ogilvie (shoulder) returned to training this week and could be in contention for Stevenage. However, Adam Marriott (ankle), Dean Parrett (thigh) are expected to miss out while Steven Schumacher (knee) and David McAllister are the Boro's long-term injuries.
THE FORM GUIDE
The Reds come into the game on the back of a 4-2 loss to Barnet. Mark Yates' side have been beaten in three of their last four fixtures but have only lost once at home in the league since September 26.
Stevenage's last league loss came back in October, when they went down 5-1 at the hands of Oxford United, but they have since claimed three wins and three draws. The Boro come into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Accrington Stanley last Saturday.
VIEW FROM THE BENCH
: "It will be a different Stevenage team to the ones Graham Wesley had. They play a lot more and come here in good form so we know it's going to be tough. We need to get back at it though after Barnet. It's important we produce the right response."Mark Yates
WE’VE MET BEFORE?
The most recent meeting between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw in West Sussex, during the 2013-14 season, thanks to a dramatic stoppage time equaliser from Matt Tubbs that stretched the Reds' record to seven games unbeaten in the league.
Boro beat Richie Barker's side 2-0 at Broadhall Way earlier that season. In the 2012-13 campaign, Reds won 2-1 at Stevenage thanks to goals from Dannie Bulman and Hope Akpan while Matt Sparrow netted in the 1-1 draw at home on Good Friday. All previous league meetings were in League One.
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO FIXTURES (3pm unless stated)
Dagenham & Redbridge v Cambridge United (1pm)
AFC Wimbledon v Bristol Rovers
Barnet v Newport County
Morecambe v Mansfield
Hartlepool v Notts County
Leyton Orient v Portsmouth
Plymouth v Yeovil Town
Accrington Stanley v Carlisle
Oxford United v Exeter City
Luton Town v Wycombe
York City v Northampton
FANCY A FLUTTER?
hereFor all the latest match odds from Sky Bet click
TICKET INFORMATION
You can claim up to two free under-18 tickets with any adult ticket purchased for this game. Ticket information can be found here.
COME ON YOU REDS!