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Crewe Alexandra
League Two | Gameweek 31
Feb 8, 2025 at 3pm UK
Alexandra Stadium
Newport County

Crewe
vs.
Newport

Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Crewe Alexandra and Newport County, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

In the hunt for promotion, Crewe Alexandra will face a resurgent Newport County at Mornflake Stadium this Saturday in League Two.

The Railwaymen will be looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing draw last time out against Harrogate Town, while the Exiles will be hoping to make it three wins on the bounce this weekend.


Match preview

Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell on August 3, 2024© Imago

Lee Bell's Crewe Alexandra may have lost just one of their last eight games but they have only won three in that period, going back to late December.

It is also notable that only 13th-placed Colchester United have registered more than their 12 draws this campaign, and it would be fair to say that consistently dropping points in stalemates has held their season back.

Their current mixed form has left them fifth in the table, where the Railwaymen are in the middle of a pack of five clubs between third and seventh in League Two that are separated by just three points.

Saturday's hosts have earned seven of their 12 wins at Mornflake Stadium this season, and took a point in a draw with promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon in their most recent home clash on January 28.

This weekend, Crewe will be feeling the pressure of keeping up with the other promotion chasers, and Bell will be keen to get back to winning ways before they are displaced by Salford City, who are just three points behind in eighth.

Newport County head coach Nelson Jardim on October 7, 2024© Imago

Meanwhile, Nelson Jardim's Newport County are on a three-game unbeaten streak for the first time since December, and have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since the start of October.

That form has taken the Exiles 10 points clear of Morecambe - who they beat 2-1 last time out - in the relegation zone, though they remain 14 points behind Bradford City in the playoff spots.

In the reverse fixture, Jardim's side emerged 2-1 victors at home thanks to goals from Cameron Evans and Matthew Baker either side of an Adrien Thibaut equaliser for Crewe, but considering that Saturday's visitors last won an away game back in October, it is unlikely that they will take all three points this time around.

In fact, Newport have only avoided defeat on the road on six occasions all season, winning twice and drawing four times, and given their appalling away record, it will likely take a standout performance for the Exiles to merely avoid another loss this weekend.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

Newport County League Two form:


Team News

James Clarke of Newport County in action during his side's match with Chesterfield on October 18, 2024© Imago

Crewe may be without striker Shilow Tracey after he was taken off with an injury last time out, so expect Ryan Cooney to take his place up top.

Should Cooney make the XI, he will be joined by Christopher Long in a strike partnership, and be supported by Max Conway and Zac Williams out wide.

As for Newport, Joe Thomas was taken off with an injury late on against Morecambe, and manager Jardim could opt for Kyle Jameson on the right flank this weekend in his absence.

If Jameson starts, he would be tasked with helping Cameron Evans in defence and supporting winger David Ajiboye when on the front foot as his side looks for their first away win in almost four months.


Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Marschall; Knight-Lebel, O'Riordan, Demetriou; Sanders; Conway, Holicek, Tabiner, Williams; Cooney, Long

Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Evans, Clarke, Baker; Jameson, McLoughlin, Antwi, Driscoll-Glennon; Ajiboye, Baker-Richardson, Kamwa


SM words green background

We say: Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Newport County

Crewe may be in worse form than their opponents, but the visitors' shocking away record makes it extremely unlikely that they will take anything from Saturday's game.

Additionally, the pressure of keeping up with their promotion rivals should be a motivating factor for the Railwaymen to put in a strong performance this weekend.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Anthony Nolan

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Who will win Saturday's League Two clash between Crewe and Newport?

Crewe Alexandra
Draw
Newport County
Crewe Alexandra
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Newport County
0.0%
0
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osh Neufville of AFC Wimbledon in the pregame warmup before his side faced Newcastle United, on October 1, 2024
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall28185554302459
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster29157742321052
3Notts County28148645281750
4AFC Wimbledon27146739201948
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe291212536251148
6Port Vale2813963529648
7Bradford CityBradford28138738281047
8Salford City2912983629745
9Grimsby Town29133134045-542
10Chesterfield28109943321139
11MK Dons28115124240238
12Cheltenham TownCheltenham28108103739-238
13Colchester UnitedColchester2881373329437
14Swindon TownSwindon30910114344-137
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood279993735236
16Bromley2981293940-136
17Newport CountyNewport2896133747-1033
18Gillingham2795132529-432
19BarrowBarrow2887132732-531
20Harrogate TownHarrogate3086162541-1630
21Accrington StanleyAccrington2778123445-1129
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2868142146-2526
23Morecambe2965182746-1923
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2856172246-2421


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