Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Leyton Orient - prediction, team news, lineups

After being relegated from League One last season, The Railwaymen are in less impressive form, and will commence proceedings 15th in the standings, although they have a game in hand on the majority of the teams in the division.

Match preview

Crewe have a lack of goals to blame for their subpar performance in League Two up to this point, having scored just 18, the joint-lowest amount of any side in the top 20.

Alex Morris stepped down as manager on compassionate grounds at the start of November, becoming assistant to the new permanent boss Lee Bell, after a run of just one win in nine games in all competitions.

Form initially picked up, with the Railwaymen securing three wins in a row, including one in the FA Cup against Saturday's opponents, Leyton Orient, although they lost 3-0 in the second round tie against Barnsley.

While a 1-0 victory at home to Colchester was expected, Crewe's win by the same scoreline away at Swindon Town was very impressive, displaying resolute defensive qualities against the playoff chasers to become just the second visiting side to win at the County Ground in League Two all season.

However, Bell's side failed to build on the result against Newport County last time out, falling to a 2-1 defeat at home, with Cameron Norman and Offrande Zanzala striking in the second half to cancel out a Lachlan Brook opener.

Orient have had a remarkable first half of the season, acquiring 48 points from 20 games to secure their place at the summit of the League Two table, 14 points clear of third-placed Barrow inside the automatic promotion places.

Not only that, but the O's boast an incredible away record, beaten just once in the league on their travels all season, most recently winning 2-1 at Stockport County, the only game their opponents have lost in their last 11 outings.

While Richie Wellens' side did come unstuck in their last trip to the Mornflake Stadium, they have not let it halt their progress in the league, now on a run of six wins in their last seven games, including in their last three.

Having conceded just 12 goals, Orient have the best defensive record in the league, and their last match encapsulated exactly why they are setting the pace in League Two this season.

The O's raced to a victory against sixth-placed Bradford City, keeping a clean sheet in trademark fashion, defeating the Bantams 3-0 at the Breyer Group Stadium, with Charlie Kelman, Tom James and Ruel Sotiriou netting to wrap up yet another three points.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

D

D

L

W

W

L

Crewe Alexandra form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

L

Leyton Orient League Two form:

W

W

L

W

W

W

Leyton Orient form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

W

W

Team News

Crewe have been without top scorer Courtney Baker-Richardson since the start of November, due to a hamstring injury, so Daniel Agyei and Bassala Sambou are the likely options at striker.

Owing to his goal last time out, Lachlan Brook should continue to feature on the left wing, while Charlie Colkett may be chosen on the opposite side, having started for the first time this season in the last match.

Luke Offord and Rodney McDonald have been the consistent centre-back partnership of late, and they are both set to be given starts again at the heart of the Crewe defence.

Richie Wellens seemingly has no reason to tinker too much with a winning formula, although he will have to continue to make do without Anthony Georgiou, who has a hamstring issue, while Dan Nkrumah has missed out of late due to a knee injury.

Despite only being brought on in the 82nd minute, Ruel Sotiriou bagged a goal late on in the last match, so his manager may reward the winger with his first start since early November.

Theodore Archibald could well drop to the bench to make way for the Cypriot, with Charlie Kelman likely to keep his place after scoring in the last match, while Paul Smyth is the O's' top scorer, with eight to his name in the league this season.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Mellor, Offord, Sass-Davies, Uwakwe; Brook, Thomas, King; Tabiner; Agyei, Sambou

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Vigouroux; Hunt, Happe, Beckles, Brown; El Mizouni, Pratley, Smyth, Moncur, Sotiriou; Kelman

We say: Crewe Alexandra 0-2 Leyton Orient

Given the fact that Crewe lost their last home match, it is likely that they will come unstuck once again against the league leaders. Although the O's lost here in November, they have won their last three league games and are in inspired form, so they should be able to cement their place at the top of League Two in comfortable fashion

Previews by email