Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Tranmere Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

The Railwaymen have lost their last three matches, while Tranmere have now won two games on the spin in League Two, after coming through a tricky period.

Match preview

Crewe are now 17th in the league standings after a very poor recent run of form, in which their displays have been in stark contrast to those of when Lee Bell was initially brought in as caretaker manager.

In his first match in charge after the departure of predecessor Alex Morris, Bell recorded a 1-0 victory against league leaders Leyton Orient in the FA Cup, displaying some very positive signs, and this was then backed up by wins against Colchester United and Swindon Town.

However, since being offered the job on a permanent basis at the start of December, form has nosedived, with the Railwaymen losing 2-1 at home to Newport County, before also coming up short against Stockport County and Carlisle United.

On Thursday night against the Bluebirds, Crewe were comprehensively beaten, recording just one shot on target in a 3-0 home defeat, in which they were comfortably second best throughout the match.

To make matters worse, Bell's side are coming up against a side that they have lost against in their last three encounters, including two this season, without managing to score a goal.

Tranmere will be looking to make it three straight wins in League Two for the first time since October when they travel to the Mornflake Stadium on Sunday, as they look to have put a very poor run of form behind them.

Prior to a resounding 3-0 win against Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day, the Rovers had not won in their last 10 matches in all competitions, their longest run without a win since the 2014-15 League Two season, in which they were relegated to the National League.

Micky Mellon's side are 14th in the league standings, but given the fact that so little separates most of the division, they are only three points off the playoff places, so they still have ample opportunity to make a success of this season.

Judging by their recent displays, it looks like Tranmere may have finally clicked in attack, after looking solid in defence all season, boasting the third-best record at the back in the division, with just 19 goals conceded.

The Whites did it the hard way against Barrow last time out, but secured a vital three points courtesy of goals from Jordan Turnbull and Kane Hemmings, with the latter scoring late in the second half when they were down to 10 men.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

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W

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Crewe Alexandra form (all competitions):

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L

Tranmere Rovers League Two form:

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D

L

W

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Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):

L

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D

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W

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Team News

Crewe will have to replace Luke Offord in the centre of defence after he saw red for an incident off the ball against Carlisle United, so 18-year-old Zac Williams could enter the frame.

Elsewhere, Lee Bell may decide to make a few changes in light of his side's very poor recent form, with Regan Griffiths replacing Connor Salisbury in the midfield, while Charlie Colkett may come back in for Tariq Ukakwe.

Tranmere will also have a player suspended for Sunday's clash, with Paul Lewis being sent off against Barrow last time out, although he was only making an appearance off the bench when he was dismissed.

As such, Joel Mumbongo should keep his place as part of a front two after recently forcing his way into the starting lineup, where he will partner captain Kane Hemmings, who has scored in his last two games.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Mellor, Williams, McDonald, Adebisi; Tabiner, Griffiths, Thomas, Colkett; Agyei, Sambou

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Dacres-Cogley, Davies, Turnbull, Bristow; Morris, Merrie, O'Connor, Hawkes; Hemmings, Mumbongo

We say: Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere have already defeated Crewe twice this season, running out comfortable 3-0 winners in the home clash, so there is no reason why they should not be able to secure another victory on Sunday.

The Rovers have had a solid defence throughout the season, and so they are likely to keep a clean sheet, but their lack of goals means they should only win by a narrow margin.

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