Sam Stringer previews this weekend’s fixture…
The battle for League One survival has begun to really heat up in recent weeks and with the season drawing into its final quarter a clear bottom five are in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom.
All that separates this pack is three points, with bottom side Yeovil Town only a win away from the safety spot above the relegation zone, currently occupied by Coventry City.
But in between those teams are a resurgent Leyton Orient that have a game in hand and a further two teams that lock horns this weekend in what is a make-or-break fixture…
Enter Crawley, who have the worst defensive record in the League, and Colchester, who have the third worst.
The stats don’t stop there: this game sees a Crawley side with the worst away form in the League travel to the Weston Homes Community Stadium in which the U’s have the second worst home form.
For the hosts Colchester United, the tie marks the start of a four-day period that could well determine their League One status as Yeovil make the trip to Essex just days later.
Under-pressure Tony Humes goes into these two must-win home games in dismal form following three straight defeats, with a woeful home record that has plagued the U’s season.
The Essex side will be buoyed by the return of key midfielder George Moncur, but inconsistencies in defence and a distinct lack of goals are key obstacles on Colchester’s survival course.
Crawley Town go into the game level on points with their opponents and also in losing form having suffered a late defeat to League leaders Bristol City at the weekend despite a good performance.
Dean Saunders has seen resurgence in his side that just a few weeks ago looked destined for the drop, largely down to the goal scoring form of Izale McLeod.
The striker netted a hatrick in Crawley’s following game in which the Red Devils scored five against Barnsley, his goals have been backed up by loanee and ex-Colchester man Anthony Wordsworth.
Wordsworth is set to face off against the side he left in 2013 for rivals Ipswich Town and will be expecting a hostile reception; Ryan Dickson also makes a return to Essex after leaving last summer.
Colchester recent form: WLWLLL – GF: 5 – GA: 8
Likely line-up: Walker; Wynter, Osborne, Eastman, Briggs; Hewitt, Fox, Gilbey, Massey; Bonne, Porter
Crawley recent form: LWWDLL – GF: 9 – GA: 11
Likely line-up: Price; Bradley, Ward, Wood, Dickson; Tomlin, Wordsworth, Fowler, Young; Pogba, McLeod