In a bid to bolster their push for promotion from League Two, Crewe Alexandra will welcome Fleetwood Town to Mornflake Stadium on Tuesday.
The Railwaymen will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce, while victory could see the Fishermen shoot up the table.
Match preview
© Imago
Lee Bell's Crewe seem to have recovered from the six-game winless run that they went on leading up to late February, and back-to-back wins have left them seventh in the table ahead of Tuesday's clash.
Last time out, the Railwaymen survived a tense finish and beat Chesterfield 3-1 thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Tom Lowery, who restored their two-goal advantage.
That victory was the second game in a row in which Bell's side had netted three times, and when coupled with the two clean sheets they have kept in their three most recent league fixtures, fans will be cautiously optimistic that the manager has got the team's campaign back on track.
That being said, Tuesday's hosts have only won one of their last four home games, losing two and drawing the other since January, and even though they are up against mid-table opposition, they will be nervous given that the gap to eighth-placed Grimsby Town has shrunk in 2025.
Three points in midweek could see Crewe leapfrog both Port Vale and AFC Wimbledon to climb into fifth place - where they may even be level on points with Notts County - but defeat would allow Grimsby the chance to join the Railwaymen on 55 points.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Pete Wild's Fleetwood have won just one of their last six games, and though their season has been mixed so far, victory could catapult them all the way to ninth depending on goal difference and results elsewhere.
On Saturday, the Fishermen conceded an 89th-minute equaliser from Notts County's Alassana Jatta in a 2-2 draw at Highbury Stadium, and the two points they dropped late on would have had them in 11th place rather than the 13th that they currently occupy.
To make matters worse, Tuesday's visitors have been significantly better at home than on the road this season, and considering that they have only won twice away from their own turf since early October, they will feel that they had a much better chance of putting points on the board last time out than in midweek.
In the reverse fixture, Fleetwood were beaten 1-0 by Crewe back in 2024, though with Wild in the dugout this time around, they will be hoping that they can at least make it three consecutive games without defeat for the first time in almost five months.
Team News
© Imago
Crewe striker Shilow Tracey returned to the starting lineup after he picked up an injury against Gillingham on February 15, so expect him to start up top once again, supported by Joel Tabiner and Matus Holicek from wide areas.
In defence, Zac Williams will captain the side from centre-back, and marshal a backline featuring Jamie Knight-Lebel and Connor O'Riordan.
As for Fleetwood, boss Wild is likely to select Elliot Bonds at the base of a midfield trio including Danny Mayor and Mark Helm.
Elsewhere, striker Ryan Graydon, who netted a brace against Notts County, should start in a partnership with Owen Devonport in the absence of Kian Harratt, who has been out of action since late January.
In support, wing-backs Brandon Cover and Mackenzie Hunt will provide width, and 20-year-old striker Louie Marsh could make an appearance from the bench.
Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Marschall; Billington, Knight-Lebell, O'Riordan, Williams, Conway; Tabiner, Lowery, Powell, Holicek; Tracey
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Lynch; Rooney, Bennett, Sarpong-Wiredu; Bonds; Cover, Mayor, Helm, Hunt; Graydon, Devonport
We say: Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Fleetwood Town
Crewe seem to have started to get their season back on track after a few poor weeks, and they will be keen to maintain the gap to Grimsby with a win.
Also, given that Fleetwood have been significantly worse on the road this campaign, the Railwaymen are likely to make the most of their chance to take all three points on Tuesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
