Boro are back at The Lamex Stadium this Saturday for the visit of Crawley Town…
For information on ticketing, parking, opening times, matchday events and everything else, please take a read of our What’s On guide.
- Onto the game…
After a quiet November with only two league games and two draws, a return home on Saturday versus Crawley Town is the perfect opportunity add another three points to this season’s tally.
A midweek win in the Leasing.com Trophy at Colchester United on Tuesday night got Stevenage’s December off to an ideal start, thanks to a Jason Cowley double.
Since taking the reins in September, Mark Sampson’s Stevenage have a home league record of two wins, two defeats and one draw. Successes over Morecambe and Grimsby have help move The Boro off the foot of the table on goal difference, with a game in-hand.
Scott Cuthbert is in contention to return to the starting line-up after picking up a leg injury at Walsall a fortnight ago, whilst Dean Parrett and Tyler Denton are touch-and-go to be back in the squad. Both Kelland Watts and Kurtis Guthrie are likely to remained sidelined.
After crashing out of the FA Cup at the Second Round stage to Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town, Gabriele Cioffi departed from his role as Crawley Town Head Coach. A run of just one win in eleven league games sees The Red Devils floating above the relegation zone, with Stevenage hunting them down optimistically.
After five games at The People’s Pension Stadium in a row, newly-appointed Head Coach John Yems will hope for a turn of fortunes on the road. On a contract until the end of the season, ex-Stevenage midfielder Dannie Bulman joins Yems in the dugout as assistant coach, while remaining part of the playing squad.
- One to Watch…
Since signing on a permanent deal from Birmingham City in the summer, Bez Lubala has been Crawley Town’s star man, scoring 9 goals in 23 league games.
After scoring in five of The Red Devils’ first six games, including the winner against Premier League Norwich in the Carabao Cup, Lubala has added four more goals to his season tally, putting him as Crawley Town top scorer.
Strikers Reece Grego-Cox and Ollie Palmer add extra firepower to the frontline of Saturday’s opposition, who have both contributed five goals each this campaign.
- Officials...
Referee: Brett Huxtable
Assistant Referee 1: Craig Taylor
Assistant Referee 2: Oliver Jackson
Fourth Official: Nicholas Cooper
- Form Guide…
A win would be much-welcomed for either of Saturday’s teams, with Crawley not having won since the start of October, and Stevenage joint-bottom of League Two, however undefeated in three league games.
Stevenage’s home record has improved since Mark Sampson took charge earlier in the season, having won the last two leagues games played at The Lamex Stadium, as well as taking League One Peterborough United to a replay in the FA Cup. In total, Boro have only lost two their last 11 games.
John Yems will look to guide Crawley Town to their first away win in all competitions since August, and their first points on the road since October.
- Head-to-Head…
Stevenage boast an encouraging win record over Crawley Town in all competitions, having played them 27 times since the two teams’ first fixture in 1988.
Last season, Stevenage won both games in the league. A 3-1 win in West Sussex in August of last year thanks to Alex Reid and an Alex Revell double, as well as a 2-1 win at The Lamex with two James Ball first half goals.
Crawley Town’s last win at The Lamex Stadium came in February 2016, in Darren Sarll’s first game as First Team Coach, with Matt Harrold bagging the winner for the visitors that day.
- Betting…
Stevenage are 6/5 favourites with league sponsors Sky Bet, whilst Stevenage to win and BTTS has been PRICE BOOSTED from 7/2 to 9/2!
If you fancy a flutter this weekend, use our designated link which enables the club to receive a slice of your stake!
Also, don't forget that supporters can now check-in on matchdays, unlock achievements and earn special rewards courtesy of Sky Bet, title sponsors of the EFL. Download the new Sky Bet EFL Rewards app by clicking here.
- Online coverage…
Live match commentary will be available for UK iFollow subscribers so make sure you sign up to listen to every game. If you are based outside of the UK & Ireland, you can stream the game LIVE!
Make sure you are following our Twitter account throughout the day as we bring you the very latest from The Lamex Stadium.
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