Out Of Form Rovers And Reds Look For Boost

It is the game that will have League 2 punters keenly watching their computer screens for minute-by-minute updates, Crawley Town, favourites for the fourth tier title, hosting the team tipped to be their closest rivals, Bristol Rovers. It is not, however, the top of the table clash that many predicted, though the new season is still in it's infancy.

Having taken three wins and a draw from their opening four league fixtures it looked as though newly promoted Crawley were set to live up to the hype, sitting as they did atop the division following a 3-1 victory away at Torquay. Since then the good form has began to slip away as the Red Devils have tasted defeat in their last three, though two of those games were in cup competitions. The loss in the league came away at Cheltenham Town, Kaid Mohamed, Marlon Pack and Jeff Goulding giving the Robins a 3-0 half time lead. Three half time substitutions by Crawley boss Steve Evans could only rescue a consolation goal, the gaffer seething about his sides first half display when interviewed post-match.

Don't get too confident just yet, Rovers fans, all those losses were on the road and when it comes to home league games the Reds are unbeaten in 17, Newport County the last team to overcome the home team at Broadfield Way, and you can almost guarantee them a goal, too. It was the opening game of last season, in a defeat to Grimsby Town, the last time Crawley drew a blank on home turf.

A midweek Carling Cup match against Leyton Orient ended in defeat for Rovers, though not for a lack of effort on their part. 2-0 down after 23 minutes the Gas pulled the game level in second half stoppage time, only for the Londoner's to deliver a sucker punch in the shape of a Stephen Dawson winner just seconds before the final whistle. It was the first defeat away from the Memorial Stadium for Rovers but the spirit shown will be pleasing for fans and club officials alike.

It hasn't all been positive away from home for Rovers, though, only an opening day win at AFC Wimbledon have given the Pirates three points in their two trips, a 0-0 stalemate at Macclesfield the other result. With four games since claiming victory in any game for the Gas it leaves two highly thought of teams in relatively poor form, a win for either giving a potential platform from which they can push on.

Pablo Mills (ankle) and Jamie Day (back) will miss out for the home team while Scott Shearer, Scott Davies, Wes Thomas and Tyrone Barnett could be in line for recalls having been dropped for the JPT loss to Southend.

Wantaway striker Jo Kuffour is highly unlikely to feature in the Rovers squad, the former Swindon man looking for a new club closer to London.

Cian Bolger (ankle), Jo Anyinsah (hamstring) and Matt Harrold look set to miss out as they continue to recover from respective complaints.