Crawley Town play host to Leyton Orient on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will keep them in the hunt for League One survival.
At a time when the home side sit in 22nd place in the table and six points adrift of safety, the visitors are ninth and five points behind the playoff spots.
Match preview
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Upon the return of Scott Lindsey, Crawley had high hopes of a resurgence and ultimately avoiding relegation, particularly when their new manager made an instant impact.
However, despite wins over Bristol Rovers and Rotherham United, Crawley have since suffered defeats to Peterborough United and Stevenage.
Both setbacks have come in the closing stages, a last-gasp penalty being conceded against Peterborough before two goals were shipped in a 3-1 reverse to Stevenage from the 89th minute onwards.
As a result, Crawley now sit six points adrift of safety, with an inferior goal difference, when just five fixtures remain and they still have to travel to champions Birmingham City.
Such a scenario leaves it clear that Crawley can ill-afford anything other than maximum points from this game as they bid to improve on accumulating just 20 points from 21 home encounters during 2024-25.
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Meanwhile, Leyton Orient are battling to remain in the playoff hunt after their recent five-game losing streak undid a lot of their previous hard work.
Richie Wellens's team have since responded with 10 points from a possible 15, beating Blackpool, Stevenage and Mansfield Town respectively.
The other point came from a goalless stalemate with Wigan Athletic, Leyton Orient trailing sixth-placed Reading by five points with five games left.
Although three of those matches are away from Brisbane Road, Leyton Orient have recorded nine victories from their 20 away contests this campaign, scoring 30 times which is the joint-third best return in the division.
Team News
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Jack Roles is pushing for a return to the Crawley midfield having supplied the assist to their goal against Stevenage.
Panutche Camara could be the player to miss out, but the rest of the team may stay the same given the manner of the defeat.
Charlie Kelman took his League One tally for the campaign to 17 goals with his double versus Mansfield last time out.
He will lead the Leyton Orient frontline in what may be an unchanged starting lineup. Omar Beckles and Daniel Agyei are alternatives to come into the team in defence and on the flank respectively.
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Mullarkey, Conroy, Barker; Quitirna, Roles, Fraser, Ibrahim, Kelly; Hepburn-Murphy, Doyle
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; Williams, Edmonds-Green, Cooper, Currie; Clare, Brown; Markanday, Donley, Abdulai; Kelman
We say: Crawley Town 1-2 Leyton Orient
Despite enduring mixed fortunes under Lindsey, Crawley will back themselves to earn something from this contest. Nevertheless, with Leyton Orient having recently gotten back on track, we can only predict a narrow away win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
