Accrington Stanley
- Accrington Stanley sit 16th in League Two on 52 points from 44 games, safely in mid-table and out of the promotion race.
- John Doolan’s side play with a back three when needed, are very organised and compact, and press the ball intelligently in situations - but generally don’t over-commit.
- Accrington are without Tyler Walton and David Abimbola for this one after both received red cards recently, which could weaken them if Crawley get on top.
- Accrington Stanley are slight favorites to win their home League Two fixture against a fellow club in crisis on Saturday, but they are not much more likely to get the result than Crawley Town in the game.
Crawley Town
- Crawley Town are battling to beat the drop, 20th on 38 points from 44.
- Crawley Town have won two, drawn one and lost two of their last five, registering back-to-back wins against Newport and Gillingham at the end of March before faltering in April.
- Crawley are a much higher tempo side and a lot more positive, pressing hard and looking to get at the opponent on the counter-attack with their overlapping wing-backs.
- Crawley’s manager Colin Kazim-Richards, who took over in late March, has been getting more and more out of this team and they now have the sort of intensity and urgency that a relegation fight requires.
Key Players
- Harry McKirdy, the club’s top scorer, is the focal point in the Red Devils attack, while Louie Copley and Ade Adeyemo provide pace and creativity on the flanks.
- Josh Woods and Korede O’Brien both offer holding-up ability for Accrington, and have featured in recent starting lineups.
- Shaun Whalley is the creative heartbeat of the side, leading the team in chances created and providing the main set-piece threat.
Betting Insights
- The bookmakers have Stanley priced at 2.82 for this fixture, Crawley at 2.43 and the draw at 3.2 - and that’s about right.
- There is little to choose between these two clubs in the overall picture right now, and neither side is in good enough form to warrant a strong bet.
- However, under 2.5 goals is our preferred bet at 1.74 because the market looks right for this cagey game with Crawley desperately needing the points.
Prediction
- Accrington are a better side overall, and are likely to edge a close game on the day.
- Doolan has made Stanley very difficult to break down at the Wham Stadium and Kazim-Richards is still looking for the right formula to lift Crawley out of danger.
