Cheltenhamvs.Crewe

On Friday, the Robbins settled for a 2-2 draw with Gillingham, as they sit 16th in the table, while Crewe are pushing for an automatic promotional place, currently fourth following a 0-0 result versus Colchester United.

Match preview

Throughout December, Cheltenham have been able to consistently collect points, without a single defeat this month in five competitive fixtures.

Domestically, they have points in five consecutive games but have only won two of those matches, dropping six points from a winning position in the second half.

Dropping points has been a recurring theme for Michael Flynn's men in this competition, with his team failing to win six league encounters this season when scoring first, letting 15 points slip away in the process.

Cheltenham have won just two of their last nine matches played on Boxing Day, but they won the last one a season ago versus Shrewsbury Town (2-0).

They are unbeaten in their previous eight matches at Whaddon Road across all competitions, posting two clean sheets in their last three league outings at home.

All seven of their domestic triumphs this season have come against sides currently below them in the table, five of which were at home.

In many instances this season, Crewe have left it late but often found a way, putting them in a solid position to at least make the playoffs.

Five times in the competition this season, they have conceded the opening goal but found a way back, collecting nine points as a result.

The Railwaymen have netted seven times beyond the 80th minute in this competition, with over half of their goals (17/24) occurring in the second half.

That has kept Lee Bell's men close to the top three, with only two points currently separating them from second place, while they have a game in hand on Doncaster Rovers (third) and Port Vale (second).

They have not gotten many positive results on Boxing Day outside of Gresty Road, losing three successive away contests on that day, each time by a two-goal margin.

Crewe have won just one of their previous five EFL games at Cheltenham, but they are unbeaten in their last four league contests against them and could make it five in a row for only the second time ever on Thursday.

Cheltenham Town League Two form:

L

W

D

D

W

D

Cheltenham Town form (all competitions):

L

D

D

W

W

D

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

W

D

D

D

W

D

Crewe Alexandra form (all competitions):

D

D

D

L

W

D

Team News

There is only one injury concern at Cheltenham right now, with left-back Ryan Haynes on the long road to recovery from a serious knee injury, as Tom Bradbury filled in for him against Gillingham.

Luke Young scored his fourth of the domestic campaign last week, and George Miller netted for a second successive occasion in this competition, his team-leading sixth of the season.

On the Crewe side, we saw one change to their starting 11 versus Colchester, as Shilow Tracey returned from suspension, coming into the fold in place of Jamie Knight-Lebel.

Filip Marschall only had to make two stops between the sticks on Friday to collect his second successive clean sheet in this competition.

Cheltenham Town possible starting lineup:

Day; Jude-Boyd, Bakare, Stubbs, Bradbury; Kinsella, Young; Thomas, Taylor, Archer; Miller

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Marschall; Connolly, Demetriou, Williams; Powell; Cooney, Conway, Tabiner, Holicek; Lankester, Tracey

We say: Cheltenham Town 1-1 Crewe Alexandra

Both sides have found ways to earn points in recent outings, but neither have shown enough quality to make the difference and claim maximum points consistently.

Written by

Joel Lefevre

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