Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Crewevs.Wrexham

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 April 2024, 14:01
It is a top-of-the-table clash in League Two this weekend as Crewe Alexandra aims to secure a place in the playoffs when they host Wrexham.

The visitors have already been promoted to League One, but with two games remaining, they can still finish second.

Match preview

Crewe currently sits fifth in the league table, and while that seems like a relatively secure place in the playoffs, with Doncaster Rovers and Walsall chasing the pack, there is no room for error.

The Railwaymen need two points from the final couple of games to guarantee their place in the knockout stage of the competition, regardless of what results other teams pick up.

Plus, Lee Bell will want his team to have as much momentum as possible heading into potential playoff games to give them the best chance of earning promotion to

League One.

However, Crewe's performances have been anything but promotion-worthy in recent weeks. They have won just once in their previous six outings, which is concerning form at this stage in the season.

The Railwaymen were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Grimsby Town in their most recent outing, and Bell will want to see his team put that result behind them immediately.

Wrexham heads into this game with tons of buzz surrounding them after they secured back-to-back promotions and guaranteed their place in League One next season.

However, Phil Parkinson will ensure his men do not suffer from a Hollywood hangover this weekend. The team is now looking to finish the season in style as they prepare to make the jump in divisions.

Wrexham might have nothing to play for when it comes to earning promotion, but the Welsh club could still finish in second place if they win their final two matches of the season, with only goal difference splitting them and Mansfield Town.

The Red Dragons have been flying lately, scoring 10 goals in their previous two games, which included an emphatic 6-0 victory against Forest Green Rovers, and ending the season in style will certainly be high on their agenda.

With players now fighting to prove their worth to Parkinson ahead of life in League One, there is just as much on the line in each game, especially as Wrexham looks to keep the pressure on Mansfield.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

D

D

L

D

W

L

Wrexham League Two form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Team News

Conor Thomas will again be unavailable for Crewe due to a hamstring problem, although he should be fit for the season's final game.

Courtney Baker-Richardson is dealing with a calf injury that will keep him out, while Ed Turns is also on the sidelines due to swelling in his knee.

However, Shilow Tracey and Christopher Long could both feature in some capacity, although it is unlikely either will be fit enough to start from the first whistle.

With promotion secured, Wrexham could mix things up a little to give minutes to some of the squad players for the final two games of the season, but it remains to be seen whether Parkinson wants to change things up.

Paul Mullin is still in the race for the Golden Boot in League Two after scoring a brace in midweek, and the striker will be hoping to keep his place in the team to try and add to his 23 goals this season.

Jacob Mendy is an injury concern for the Red Dragons as he missed out in midweek, and it is likely the defender will be rested once again here.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Stryjek; Billington, Demetriou, Williams; Cooney, Austerfield, Holicek, Adebisi; Rowe, Kirk; Nevitt

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Barnett, Cleworth, O'Connell, O'Connor, McClean; Cannon, Evans, Davies; Palmer, Mullin

We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-3 Wrexham

Crewe need the points much more than their opponents at this point in this season as they are still looking to secure a place in the playoffs.

However, the recent form of the hosts has been poor, and that is something that Wrexham could take advantage of as they prepare for life in League One.

Previews by email

Top News

19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly learnt the release clause of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko ahead of the summer window. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Incoming Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is reportedly interested in bringing Benfica's Antonio Silva to Anfield over the summer. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Mjallby AIF's pursuit of Allsvenskan leaders Malmo will continue on Tuesday evening, when they head to struggling IFK Goteborg. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Copenhagen will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Danish Superliga when they make the trip to Aarhus on Tuesday evening for their penultimate match of the campaign. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sparta vs. Heerenveen (Sunday, 1.30pm) Sparta Rotterdam will play their final match at Sparta-Stadion Het Kasteel for the 2023-24 Eredivisie season this Sunday afternoon when they play host to a stuttering Heerenveen. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Toulouse vs. Brest (Sunday, 8.00pm) Brest still have a chance to automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage next season when they conclude the Ligue 1 campaign against Toulouse on Sunday at Stadium de Toulouse. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sassuolo vs. Cagliari (Sunday, 11.30am) Running out of time to save their Serie A status, Sassuolo face a crucial six-pointer on Sunday, when they host relegation rivals Cagliari. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Athletic Bilbao vs. Sevilla (Sunday, 6.00pm) Sevilla will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they travel to San Mames for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal vs. Everton (Sunday, 4.00pm) A glistening Premier League trophy will be ready and waiting at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, where victory for Arsenal over Everton could propel the Gunners to top-flight supremacy. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United's Mason Greenwood is now the subject of interest from a Champions League finalist ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly joined Premier League rivals Manchester United in the race to sign a highly-rated Championship head coach amid doubts over Mauricio Pochettino's future. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign a highly-rated Brazilian teenager for the summer of 2025. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Monday, Croatia Under-17s will kick off the European Under-17 Championship against Austria Under-17s at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tournament hosts Cyprus Under-17s will face Czech Republic Under-17s in Monday's European Under-17 Championship clash. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will once again be without the services of two key players for Sunday's La Liga clash against Villarreal. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that "the good times will come" for the Red Devils, with the Dutchman again hailing the club's fans for their support this season. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round nine of the Norwegian Eliteserien sees struggling Kristiansund hosting high-flying SK Brann at the Nordmore Stadium on Monday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk San Lorenzo can extend their winning run at Estadio Pedro Bidegain to three matches in all competitions when they host Lanus on Monday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and could activate a secret release clause of €70m (£60m) in his contract at Anfield. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia Under-17s will kick off the Under-17 European Championship in Monday's clash with Ukraine Under-17s in Paralimni. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has admitted that he has struggled to adapt to playing in the middle of the team's defence. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Monday, Denmark Under-17s will begin their European Under-17 Championship campaign against Wales Under-17s at the Dasaki Stadium in Achna, Cyprus. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to make it 10 La Liga wins in a row when they head to European-chasing Villarreal on Sunday night. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in Spain's top flight when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday evening. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica are reportedly unlikely to allow Manchester United-linked Joao Neves to leave the club during this summer's transfer window unless his full €100m (£86m) release clause is met. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bruno Fernandes is reportedly demanding a new and improved contract at Manchester United in order to commit his future to the club. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Eder Militao is in his thinking when it comes to a starting role for the Champions League final. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women have won their fifth successive Women's Super League title in Emma Hayes's final season in charge thanks to a 6-0 crushing of Manchester United Women at Old Trafford. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that "nothing has changed" regarding his future amid claims that he could leave the Catalan giants at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.