English League One
2012-09-15 - Preston North End vs Crawley Town
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English League One
Saturday 15 September 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Preston North End
It isn't that long ago, or at least it doesn't feel that long ago, that Preston North End were considered one of the dark horses for promotion from the Championship to the Premier League. However, times are changed now as they look to get out of the third tier in English football and earn promotion to the Championship this season.
They have picked up a 2-2-1 record from their early League One games and that has been good enough to move them up to 7th in the table. Preston will be looking to excel at Deepdale if they are to earn promotion, or at least challenge for it, and they are currently 1-1-0 here, scoring 4 goals and conceding 1.
Preston have really been picking up the results in recent weeks and they are unbeaten in their last 5 games in all competitions, winning 3 of those in regulation time. The fans will feel they have found some kind of formula at home after back to back 4-1 wins over Crystal Palace and Swindon Town. Preston have lost just 1 of their last 13 home games in all competitions and they have now won 4 of their last 6 at Deepdale.
Lee Trundle and Lee Holmes are both missing, but Joel Byrom may be given a start this week.
Crawley Town
After all the investment in the Crawley Town club, another promotion for the club was potentially touted before they lost manager Steve Evans to Rotherham United. That suggests all is not well at the club, but their positive start to the season will keep the rumour mongers silent on that front.
Crawley will come into the game one place above Preston in 6th spot in League One having compiled a 3-0-2 record early in the season. They have a 1-0-1 record away from home, scoring 1 goal but conceding 3 and the side were humbled in a 0-3 home loss to Portsmouth last Sunday in front of the TV cameras.
Before the defeat to Portsmouth, Crawley had won 4 in a row in all competitions as they bounced back from a thumping at Swindon Town. Their away form had been solid as they were promoted from League Two last season and they have now lost just 1 of their last 12 away from home in all competitions. Crawley have actually lost just 3 of their last 24 away games, two of those coming to Swindon.
Hope Akpan and Josh Simpson were both sent off last week and will be suspended for this game. Claude Davis and Sergio Torres are pushing for selection as they recover from respective injuries.
Head to Head
This will be the first ever competitive meeting between the sides.
Prediction
I am going to back Preston North End to continue their fine recent form and inflict a rare defeat on their travels for Crawley Town.
The price looks very tempting at odds against for the home win and they have shown they are capable of scoring enough goals to put Crawley away in this one.
Crawley will also be missing a couple of first team players through suspension and I feel their away form will be tested now they are regularly playing at a higher level.
They are based on a solid defensive foundation, but I do believe Preston have enough to break those barriers and will do just enough at 2.30 to win this game.
The Pick :
Preston North End 2-1 Crawley Town
