Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Newport County

In the hunt for promotion, Crewe Alexandra will face a resurgent Newport County at Mornflake Stadium this Saturday in League Two.

The Railwaymen will be looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing draw last time out against Harrogate Town, while the Exiles will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce this weekend.

Match preview

© Imago

Lee Bell‘s Crewe Alexandra may have lost just one of their last eight games but they have only won three in that period, going back to late December.

It is also notable that only 13th-placed Colchester United have registered more than their 12 draws this campaign, and it would be fair to say that consistently dropping points in stalemates has held their season back.

Their current mixed form has left them fifth in the table, where the Railwaymen are in the middle of a pack of five clubs between third and seventh in League Two that are separated by just three points.

Saturday’s hosts have earned seven of their 12 wins at Mornflake Stadium this season, and took a point in a draw with promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon in their most recent home clash on January 28.

This weekend, Crewe will be feeling the pressure of keeping up with the other promotion chasers, and Bell will be keen to get back to winning ways before they are displaced by Salford City, who are just three points behind in eighth.

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Meanwhile, Nelson Jardim‘s Newport County are on a three-game unbeaten streak for the first time since December, and have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since the start of October.

That form has taken the Exiles 10 points clear of Morecambe – who they beat 2-1 last time out – in the relegation zone, though they remain 14 points behind Bradford City in the playoff spots.

In the reverse fixture, Jardim’s side emerged 2-1 victors at home thanks to goals from Cameron Evans and Matthew Baker either side of an Adrien Thibaut equaliser for Crewe, but considering that Saturday’s visitors last won an away game back in October, it is unlikely that they will take all three points this time around.

In fact, Newport have only avoided defeat on the road on six occasions all season, winning twice and drawing four times, and given their appalling away record, it will likely take a standout performance for the Exiles to merely avoid another loss this weekend.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

Newport County League Two form:

Team News

© Imago

Crewe may be without striker Shilow Tracey after he was taken off with an injury last time out, so expect Ryan Cooney to take his place up top.

Should Cooney make the XI, he will be joined by Christopher Long in a strike partnership, and be supported by Max Conway and Zac Williams out wide.

As for Newport, Joe Thomas was taken off with an injury late on against Morecambe, and manager Jardim could opt for Kyle Jameson on the right flank this weekend in his absence.

If Jameson starts, he would be tasked with helping Cameron Evans in defence and supporting winger David Ajiboye when on the front foot as his side looks for their first away win in almost four months.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Marschall; Knight-Lebel, O’Riordan, Demetriou; Sanders; Conway, Holicek, Tabiner, Williams; Cooney, Long

We say: Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Newport County

Crewe may be in worse form than their opponents, but the visitors’ shocking away record makes it extremely unlikely that they will take anything from Saturday’s game.

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