Crawley Town will be looking to defy their status as the bookmakers' favourites for relegation from League Two when they host Bradford City in the season opener on Saturday.
The visitors, meanwhile, will expect to challenge towards the top of the table once again after missing out on promotion from the playoffs last time around.
Match preview
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Indeed, Crawley are set to enter their ninth consecutive season in England's fourth tier, but many are predicting that they will not extend that tally into double figures after a difficult campaign last time out.
Since being relegated from League One in 2015, the Red Devils have failed to finish above 12th in any of the ensuing eight seasons, but last time was by far the closest that they have come to falling outside of the EFL after finishing just one position and three points above the drop zone.
Ultimately, Scott Lindsey's appointment as the club's manager in January proved to be the turning point for Crawley, with 24 points from his 22 matches in charge proving enough to narrowly steer them away from danger. Lindsey, who left Swindon Town in eighth place at the time of his departure, will hope to continue that momentum into the new season.
Four wins from five pre-season friendlies suggests that Crawley may not be as doomed as some are forecasting, but it is the club's reckless leadership behind the scenes that is causing the majority of the pessimism and uncertainty heading into Saturday's opener.
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Bradford, on the other hand, appear more settled than they have been in recent years, having held onto former Wales manager Mark Hughes during the summer.
The 59-year-old guided the Bantams to their first playoff spot since being relegated from League One in 2019, but despite beating Carlisle United 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash, they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat after extra time in the return leg.
With by far the largest average attendance in League Two last season, Bradford's fans and ownership alike will be expecting another promotion push from their highly experienced manager and talented group of players this season, with some shrewd additions in the summer transfer window so far only likely to help their cause.
Given their forthcoming opponents' lowly pre-season billing and off-the-field troubles, Hughes could hardly have asked for a better opening fixture, but they will need to improve from failing to win any of their six pre-season friendlies if they are to return to West Yorkshire with all three points.
Team News
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Crawley will have been buoyed by managing to hold onto star striker Dom Telford, who scored 25 goals for Newport County at this level two seasons ago.
The 26-year-old will almost certainly lead the line for the hosts, who could hand competitive debuts to new signings Ronan Darcy, Liam Kelly and Will Wright.
Bradford fans, meanwhile, will be excited to see new signings Daniel Oyegoke and Ash Taylor line up in their defence for the first time after joining from Brentford and Kilmarnock respectively.
Thirty-two-year-old Andy Cook will lead the visitors' line after bagging 27 goals in 44 games for them last season, and he will carry the bulk of their offensive output once again.
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Addai; Johnson, Conroy, Wright, Tsaroulla; Kelly, Gladwin; Swyer, Darcy, Orsi; Telford
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Oyegoke, Taylor, Stubbs, Oduor; Smallwood, Pattison, Chapman; Walker; Cook, Smith
We say: Crawley Town 1-2 Bradford City
Although Crawley are expected to struggle this season, their retention of Telford should help Lindsey's side score enough goals to keep them competitive in the division.
However, Bradford undoubtedly possess more quality throughout their squad, and we can envisage them starting the season with a victory this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Brett Curtis
