SCENE SETTER
The Reds are back on the road tomorrow afternoon, looking to extend their impressive unbeaten run which began in Wimbledon in late November. Since that fixture, Crawley have won on three occasions and drawing four, with a tally of huge results building confidence and seeing the Reds rise to ninth in the league table, level on points with the play-off positions.
FORM GUIDE
Tomorrow’s hosts had a surprisingly slow start to the season, losing their first three fixtures without one goal scored. But form picked up midway through November, as Bolton defeated Salford City before hitting an impressive winning streak which included victories over Stevenage, Scunthorpe and Southend United.
However, with four points achieved from their last possible fifteen, Wanderers have hit yet another dip in fortune that the Reds will hope to capitalise on up north.
Against the odds, John Yems’ Crawley travelled back from Gloucestershire with three points against high-flying Forest Green on Tuesday night, a fantastic team performance as well as a Tom Nichols masterclass sunk the Green Army 1-2, as Nichols struck twice with assists from midfield pairing Jack Powell and Jake Hessenthaler.
THE HISTORY
The only past meeting between the two sides came in 2012 when the Reds impressively knocked Bolton out of the EFL Cup at The People’s Pension Stadium, Benik Afobe opened the scoring for the away side, but dramatic late goals from Billy Clarke and Nicky Ajose clinched a huge victory for Crawley, in a game that now Chelsea and Spain international, Marcos Alonso, featured.
THE OPPOSITION
Eoin Doyle is the leading goal scorer for Bolton Wanderers so far this season, the experienced finisher has a tally of eight so far in League Two after a brace against Southend and goals against the likes of Walsall and Port Vale.
Nathan Delfouneso has often partnered Doyle up top this season, scoring five goals of his own. The ex-Premier League striker averages a goal every four games this term, scoring in his last run-out against Carlisle United.
TEAM NEWS
Reece Grego-Cox remains unavailable for tomorrow’s fixture. There are no other doubts amongst the squad.
HOW THEY BET*
Bolton Wanderers 6/4
Draw 23/10
Crawley Town 13/8
*Odds correct with EFL partners Sky Bet at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
COVERAGE
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