SCENE SETTER
Reds are ready for their sixth competitive away trip of the season as we take on Salford City at The Peninsula Stadium tomorrow afternoon, in our eighth Sky Bet League Two fixture of the campaign.
FORM GUIDE
The Reds were 4-0 victors over league leaders Morecambe last Saturday at The People’s Pension Stadium, in a game where the Reds arguably played their best football of the season so far.
The emphatic victory, which saw places in the League Two Team of the Week for Tyler Frost, George Francomb and Jack Powell, built confidence ahead of the midweek trip to Exeter, where we took the lead at St James’ Park in the first-half through Max Watters, who scored his fourth goal in three games.
However, the Reds left Devon with no points to show for another strong performance. Exeter scored twice in the final 15 minutes with goals from Jake Taylor and Ryan Bowman.
Tomorrow’s opposition, Salford, have only conceded three times in their previous seven games, keeping clean sheets against top-half Morecambe and Forest Green. Salford currently sit between these two sides in seventh, five places above the Reds.
On Tuesday, Salford hosted Southend United at The Peninsula Stadium. Two own-goals and a James Wilson effort secured a solid 3-0 win for Paul Scholes’ side.
THE HISTORY
In the two competitive meetings between the two sides, Crawley have not conceded a goal to Salford, winning 2-0 at The People’s Pension Stadium in an incredibly impressive home performance last season, and then clinching a 0-0 draw up north in the away fixture.
THE OPPOSITION
Salford have signed a few new faces since the last clash between the two sides. After eight years at Rochdale, 35-year-old goalscorer Ian Henderson now leads the line for the hosts, with the likes of Ex-Manchester United starlet James Wilson and Brandon Asante also major goal threats.
Ex-Fleetwood man Ashley Hunter is also on the books, with Portuguese winger Bruno Andrade, formerly of Lincoln, also likely to be involved.
Czech goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky is the new No.1 between the sticks, helping Salford achieve a number of clean sheets this season.
TEAM NEWS
Ashley Nadesan remains a doubt for tomorrow after an injury sustained against Morecambe last week.
Reece Grego-Cox remains absent after the injury he picked up at Exeter City last season.
Jake Hesketh is likely to be involved again for the Reds after featuring at St James’ Park on Tuesday.
HOW THEY BET*
Salford 4/6
Draw 3/1
Crawley 10/3
*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. Click here for more information.
