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Crewe Alexandra
League Two | 1st Leg
May 6, 2024 at 5.30pm UK
Alexandra Stadium
Doncaster Rovers

Crewe
0 - 2
Doncaster


Demetriou (43')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Molyneux (34'), Biggins (48')

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

Sports Mole previews Monday's League Two clash between Crewe Alexandra and Doncaster Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Crewe Alexandra will welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Mornflake Stadium for Monday's first leg in the League Two playoff semi-finals.

The hosts finished the campaign in sixth position with 71 points to their name, while Doncaster finished in fifth position due to their slender goal difference advantage.


Match preview

Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann before the match on August 30, 2023© Reuters

Crewe finished the season in sixth spot after Elliott Nevitt scored a 92nd-minute equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw in their away clash with Colchester United.

Having sealed their place in the top seven, Crewe are now dreaming of returning to League One for the first time since being relegated in 2021-22.

While they will be pleased to be in the playoffs, the Railwaymen will head into the semi-final off the back of an underwhelming run of form which has seen them win just one of their last nine matches.

Lee Bell's side have struggled in recent outings at the Mornflake Stadium, losing 3-0 in each of their last three home matches against Forest Green Rovers, Grimsby Town and Wrexham.

However, the hosts can take confidence from the fact that they have won five of their previous eight home games against Doncaster (D3), including a 3-2 win in November's home fixture.

After drawing 1-1 with Bradford City on March 5, Doncaster were languishing in 20th place and 14 points adrift of the top seven with 10 matches left to play.

Instead of letting the season peter out, Grant McCann's side put together a remarkable 10-game winning run to climb up the table and move into fifth position before their final-day clash with Gillingham.

Despite giving up a two-goal lead to draw with the Gills, Doncaster still managed to hold onto fifth position, ensuring that they will have home advantage for Friday's return leg.

First, Rovers will be fully focused on Monday's away fixture, where they will be looking to continue their impressive goalscoring form after netting at least two times in each of their previous six matches.

Although a draw could represent a positive result, Doncaster will have aspirations of clinching their first away win over Crewe since winning 2-1 in April 2013.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

Doncaster Rovers League Two form:


Team News

Doncaster Rovers' Joe Ironside scores their first goal on August 30, 2023© Reuters

Crewe are still unable to call upon the services of Tom Booth, Harvey Davies, Jack Powell, Luke Offord and Owen Lunt.

Bell has revealed that a late decision will be made on the availability of Lewis Billington, Matus Holicek, Ed Turns, Chris Long and Conor Thomas.

Nevitt will provide one of Crewe's main attacking threats after scoring 16 goals in 43 league appearances this season.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without Ben Close, Liam Ravenhill, Caolan Lavery and Bobby Faulkner.

Jon Taylor and George Miller are making progress in their injury recovery, but it remains to be seen whether they will be passed fit for Monday's fixture.

Despite being sent off against Gillingham, Thimothee Lo-Tutala will be available to feature after Doncaster won an appeal to overturn the goalkeeper's red card.


Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Cooney, Demetriou, Williams, Adebisi; Billington, Austerfield; Tracey, Tabiner, Rowe; Nevitt

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Lo-Tutala; Sterry, Anderson, Wood, Maxwell; Bailey, Craig; Molyneux, Biggins, Adelakun; Ironside


SM words green background

We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Doncaster Rovers

Although both teams finished level on points, Doncaster will have momentum on their side after winning 10 of their previous 11 matches, and we think that they will claim another victory when they face a Crewe side that has lost each of their last three home matches.



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




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Game History

How you voted: Crewe vs Doncaster

Crewe Alexandra
22.2%
Draw
9.3%
Doncaster Rovers
68.5%
54
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CStockport CountyStockport462711896484892
4MK Dons462391483681578
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster46218177368571
6Crewe AlexandraCrewe461914136965471
7Crawley TownCrawley46217187367670
8BarrowBarrow461815136256669
9Bradford CityBradford461912156159269
10AFC Wimbledon4617141564511365
11Walsall461811176973-465
12Gillingham461810184657-1164
13Harrogate TownHarrogate461712176069-963
14Notts County46187218986361
15Morecambe461710196781-1458
16Tranmere RoversTranmere46176236770-357
17Accrington StanleyAccrington46169216371-857
18Newport CountyNewport46167236276-1455
19Swindon TownSwindon461412207783-654
20Salford City461312216682-1651
21Grimsby Town461116195774-1749
22Colchester UnitedColchester461112235980-2145
RSutton UnitedSutton46915225984-2542
RForest Green RoversForest Green46119264478-3442


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