Exeter vs Crawley preview
Thursday 18 April 2019 21:33, UK
Exeter boss Matt Taylor has no fresh selection problems ahead of Friday's League Two showdown with Crawley (kick-off 1pm).
However, Taylor will assess the demands of a busy Easter weekend - the Grecians travel to Stevenage on Monday - before he names his team.
Midfielder Lee Martin is expected to be fit after limping off at Macclesfield on April 9, while defender Troy Brown and midfielder Hiram Boateng will be managed carefully following their returns to action in recent weeks. Kane Wilson will be assessed following his return to training and fellow defenders Luke Croll and Aaron Martin had a run-out for the reserves in midweek and are close to returning.
Crawley head coach Gabriele Cioffi has the same squad to choose from as he did for last weekend's 1-0 win at lowly Yeovil. Cioffi has only long-term absentee Jimmy Smith and midfielder Josh Payne missing as Town attempt to put their relegation fears firmly behind them.
Victory over the Glovers left them nine points clear of the drop zone with four games remaining and knowing that a maximum of four more will guarantee their safety. However, that victory ended a run of four successive defeats and they know they can take nothing for granted.
Opta stats
Exeter have won just one of their last five league games against Crawley (D2 L2), winless in their last three (D2 L1).
Crawley have never lost a Football League game away against Exeter, winning one and drawing two.
Exeter have lost three of their last five home league games (W2), as many as they had in their previous 13 at St James' Park (W8 D2 L3).
Victory at Yeovil last time out ended a run of four straight league defeats for Crawley - they last won consecutive league games in January.
Five of Crawley's seven Football League games played on Good Friday have finished as draws, with the Red Devils winning one and losing one.
