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The 2026-27 season gets underway this week with sides returning to competitive action in the EFL Cup before the League Two campaign begins later this month.
This clash is slightly unusual as it takes place in the preliminary round of the competition, with the increased number of Premier League clubs involved in European football creating the need for an earlier stage.
The winner of Monday's contest will progress into the southern section of the first-round draw, adding extra importance to the opening fixture of the season.
Recently promoted York City return to EFL Cup action for the first time in over a decade after securing the National League title in dramatic fashion last season, while Crawley Town enter the campaign looking to avoid another relegation battle after surviving by a single point.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
York vs Crawley key stats
- The two sides have met four times previously, with Crawley winning once and the other three encounters ending level.
- York finished last season with 108 points as they claimed the National League title on the final day by two points.
- No side across England's top five divisions scored more than York's 114 league goals during the 2025-26 campaign.
- Crawley narrowly avoided relegation last season, staying in League Two by a single point after ending the campaign with three consecutive draws.
- No side in League Two won fewer matches than Crawley, who recorded just eight victories from 46 league outings.
- Under Scott Lindsey, Crawley recorded the fewest away points in League Two last season with just 15 from 23 matches.
York vs Crawley preview: York to return with a bang?
York vs Crawley — Tale of the Tape
| York | vs | Crawley |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (National League) | Position | 22nd (League Two) |
| 108 | Points | 40 |
| 114 | Goals For | 44 |
| 41 | Goals Against | 68 |
| 19 | Clean Sheets | 12 |
| 2nd / 1st | Home / Away Rank | 20th / 24th |
Despite guiding York City to a record-breaking promotion campaign, Stuart Maynard departed the club following their National League title success.
During his time at York Community Stadium, Maynard won 33 of his 45 matches, recording a remarkable 73.3% win rate while leading the club to one of the most prolific attacking seasons in English football.
His replacement is Scott Lindsey, who came close to relegation Crawley Town at the same time the Minstermen secured a return to the English Football League with 108 points to their name.
The managerial change has created an unusual situation heading into the new campaign, with York now preparing for their first League Two season in more than 10 years under a new boss.
Maynard's side secured promotion in unforgettable fashion on the final day against Rochdale, needing to avoid defeat to secure the title and bypass the playoffs.
The match produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, with both teams scoring in stoppage time after Rochdale had looked set to steal the automatic promotion place.
Josh Stones' 113th-minute equaliser eventually secured the title for York and sparked celebrations as they returned to the Football League.
However, preparations for their first EFL campaign have not been completely smooth, with York winning just twice in their six pre-season matches while suffering three defeats.
Crawley, meanwhile, begin their first full season under Colin Kazim-Richards, who took charge following Lindsey's departure and will look to guide the club away from another relegation battle.
Like their opponents, the Red Devils endured a difficult pre-season, with their victory over Eastleigh their only success during the summer schedule.
After surviving relegation by the barest of margins last season, Crawley will be hoping for a more comfortable campaign under Kazim-Richards.
They have strengthened their squad ahead of the new season, with Stephen Duke-McKenna, Jude Arthurs and Priestley Farquharson among the arrivals who could make their competitive debuts on Monday.
Although York and Crawley enjoyed contrasting fortunes last season, history favours the visitors, who have never lost against Monday's opponents.
York vs Crawley form guide & betting tips
| York | vs | Crawley |
|---|---|---|
WWWWD |
Form | LLLDD |
| 8 | Goals For | 3 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 8 |
LLWDL |
Pre-season results | WLL |
Whispers predicts: York 2-1 Crawley
York's promotion momentum and home advantage could prove decisive in their first competitive fixture of the season, and we are backing the hosts to begin their League Two return with a victory.
A 2-1 York win also points towards an entertaining contest, with both sides finding the net and the game potentially producing over 2.5 goals.
York are priced at 4/6 to secure victory, while Both Teams To Score is available at 3/4 and Over 2.5 goals at 8/11.
> BTTS – Yes at 3/4 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 8/11 | Likelihood: Possible
> York City to win at 4/6 | Likelihood: Probable