SCENE SETTER
The Reds are back at home to face league leaders Newport County after an impressive away win at Leyton Orient last weekend, which saw the Reds rise to eleventh in the Sky Bet League Two table.
FORM GUIDE
Heading into this afternoon’s game, Crawley have hit some real form since the disappointing home losses to Carlisle United and Grimsby Town. The Reds are unbeaten in six consecutive competitive fixtures, including an away win at AFC Wimbledon in the Emirates FA Cup, and victories in the league against Barrow and Leyton Orient.
The opposition sit at the top of the Sky Bet League Two tree however, achieving 37 points in 19 games so far, scoring 30 times - the same figure as John Yems’ Reds. The Reds have conceded six more goals than Newport, leaving them with ten less points.
Today’s visitors have hit a slight dump in form as of late, losing out to Leyton Orient and Oldham Athletic and drawing with Salford City in their previous three. Meaning the Reds will be hopeful that they can continue their form to capitalise and take all three points today at The People’s Pension Stadium.
THE HISTORY
Crawley have not hosted Newport County since October 2018, in a game that finished 4-1 to the Reds as the likes of Ollie Palmer and Ashley Nathaniel-George starred.
Since then, both previous meetings at Rodney Parade finished all square, with solid 1-1 and 0-0 draws in Wales for Crawley. Head Coach John Yems has not yet faced Newport since he arrived at the club last year, due to our home fixture last season being cancelled as the season came to an early close.
THE OPPOSITION
Midfielder Scott Twine is the away side’s top goal scorer this season with six. As the share of goals within the side is very well-spread compared to the majority of teams in the league. Strikers Tristan Abrahams and Padraig Amond share nine league goals, as the pair provide the visitors with varying strengths going forward.
Newport also have 41-year-old Kevin Ellison in their Arsenal, a player who has made plenty of appearances against the Reds over the years.
TEAM NEWS
Reece Grego-Cox remains unavailable for today’s game. Jake Hesketh, George Francomb and Tom McGill are doubts but could feature.
HOW THEY BET*
Crawley Town 9/5
Draw 5/2
Newport County 13/10
*Odds correct with EFL partners Sky Bet at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
COVERAGE
You can watch all the action live on iFollow by purchasing a match pass for £10 by clicking here.
