Crawley Town take on Crewe Alexandra at Wembley in the SkyBet EFL League Two Play-Off Final.
When the League Two play-off participants were finalised, the four teams included an MK Dons side who had hopes of automatic promotion until the last couple of games, and a Doncaster Rovers team who had won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 games.
However, Sunday’s final will be between Crewe Alexandra – who only won one of their last eight games of the League Two season – and Crawley Town – who only won one of their last five and were favourites to be relegated at the start of the campaign.
Both sides have previous experience of League One football, which is the reward for the winners.
Crewe were relegated from the third tier in 2022, whilst Crawley spent three years in League One before dropping to League Two in 2015.
Form Guide
Crawley come into the game on the back of not only upsetting the odds, but creating history in the Play-Off Semi-Final with MK Dons.
After a 3-0 win at Broadfield Stadium, the Reds ran riot at Stadium MK. Danilo Orsi scored a hat-trick in a 5-1 win on the road, sealing an 8-1 aggregate win – the biggest in EFL Play-Off history.
Scott Lindsey won many admirers for his team’s style of play, and having been one of the favourites for relegation, the Reds have had a season to remember.
Crewe have been in and around the promotion picture for majority of the season, but needed a big second leg turnaround to book their place at Wembley.
After losing the first leg of their Semi-Final 2-0 at home to Doncaster Rovers, the Alex upset the form guide to win 2-0 in the second leg to force extra-time.
With no further goals, the tie went to penalties where Wycombe Wanderers-loanee Maksymilian Stryjek saved two spot kicks to see Crewe through, 4-3.
Team News
Crawley’s triumph over MK Dons in the second leg came at a cost, as Harry Forster was taken off just before the half-time whistle, while Will Wright and Klaidi Lolos's nights were also cut short before the hour mark.
While there has been no official word on their seriousness of their afflictions, Forster should cede his spot on the right to Kellan Gordon, while Joy Mukena and Jack Roles are waiting in the wings if neither Wright nor Lolos make the cut.
In contrast, Crewe Alexandra emerged unscathed from their nerve-jangling penalty success over Doncaster and are set to be working with an identical squad at Wembley, where Lee Bell will surely see no reason to tinker with his first XI.
Predicted Line-ups
Crawley Town: Addai; Mukena, Maguire, Conroy; Gordon, L. Kelly, Williams, J. Kelly; Roles, Campbell; Orsi
Crewe Alexandra: Stryjek; Billington, Turns, Demetriou, Adebisi; Tabiner, Thomas; Tracey, Rowe, Long; Nevitt
Head to Head
Crewe have been defeated three times in 20 games against Crawley. They have taken victory on 12 occasions, while three games have ended in draws.
During the regular 2023-24 season, the Railwaymen completed the league double over Crawley. They won 1-0 at Mornflake Stadium thanks to a goal from Rio Adebisi, while Shilow Tracey, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Elliott Nevitt were on target in a 4-2 win at Broadfield Stadium.
Match Details
Where is the match being played?
The EFL League Two Play-Off Final will be played at Wembley Stadium, London. This will be Crawley’s first visit to the national stadium, whilst Crewe travel to Wembley for the fifth time in their history.
What time is kick off?
Kick-off will be at 13:00 BST on Sunday 19th May. If the scores are level at 90 minutes it will go to extra-time and then penalties if required.
Where can I watch?
The game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, with coverage from 12:00 BST.
