SCENE SETTER
Reds will play what looks to be their third and final Papa John’s Trophy game of the season in an interesting group stage clash against League One outfit, Ipswich Town, at The People’s Pension Stadium.
FORM GUIDE
The Reds have failed to pick up a point from this year’s competition, with defeats against Gillingham and Arsenal U21 so far. We started the campaign away at Priestfield in our second competitive game of the season, taking on Steve Evans’ Gills side.
Nathan Ferguson scored a late consolation goal in the game that finished 2-1 to the hosts, who scored in the first-half with Trae Coyle and early in the second through Vadaine Oliver.
We then returned to The People’s Pension Stadium to challenge a young Arsenal side over one month later. The Reds team was heavily rotated from the side that lost to Cheltenham Town one game previous, but saw an introduction for new signing Max Watters.
Watters equalised on an impressive debut late in the first-half, but Miguel Azeez was the man to snatch all three points for the Gunners on 55 minutes, despite an impressive Crawley performance, with the likes of Sam Matthews and Archie Davies shining bright.
THE HISTORY
The last competitive clash between the sides was in August 2014, when an extra-time Izale McLeod effort was enough to take the Reds into the next round of the EFL Cup after a goalless initial 90 minutes at The People’s Pension Stadium.
THE OPPOSITION
Tomorrow’s visitors, Ipswich, also lost out at home to Arsenal U21, losing 2-1 despite going ahead in the first half.
It was a much changed eleven that started in their next game against Gillingham, with 18-year-old Tyreece Simpson leading the line for the Tractor Boys. Ipswich ran out 2-0 victors with goals from Armando Dobra and Ben Folami, two players who have a combined total of 23 minutes in the league this season between them.
Ipswich have 3 points from their opening 2 games and sit second in the table, behind Arsenal.
TEAM NEWS
After over 120 minutes of football on Sunday in a 6-5 win over Torquay United, heavy rotation is expected in Tuesday night’s game.
Tom McGill and Sam Matthews are unavailable to play after concussions and Glenn Morris remains a doubt.
Reece Grego-Cox also remains unavailable.
HOW THEY BET*
Reds 11/4
Draw 11/4
Ipswich Town 5/7
*Odds correct with EFL partners Sky Bet at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
COVERAGE
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