Preview: Accrington Stanley vs. Crewe Alexandra - prediction, team news, lineups

Crewe Alexandra will look to put an end to a four-game losing run on Saturday, when they travel to the Wham Stadium to take on Accrington Stanley.

A poor run of form has seen the visitors drop to 23rd spot in the League One table, eight points adrift of safety, while their hosts sit 12th after an impressive victory last time out.

Match preview

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After enjoying an impressive run of form late last year, earning four victories from a run of five games, Accrington Stanley saw their fortunes take a sharp dip, failing to win any of their next six matches after Boxing Day.

While that did include four draws, John Coleman's men dropped into the bottom half of the table, although a spirited performance and narrow defeat away at runaway leaders Rotherham United at the beginning of February did provide some signs of encouragement.

Stanley were able to build on that last time out, as they arrested their winless run with a hard-fought 2-0 win over fifth-placed Oxford United thanks to John O'Sullivan's 28th-minute opener and a late Ethan Hamilton goal to secure all three points.

As a result, Coleman's men have climbed back up to 12th spot in England's third tier, and, with just two points between themselves and 10th place, they could quickly continue their rise with a second straight win on Saturday.

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In their way stand a Crewe Alexandra side desperate to arrest their slump in a bid to avoid relegation this campaign, having now lost their last four League One games.

David Artell's side have had to battle through a tough campaign this time around, although a run of three victories from five games around the turn of the year may have provided cause for positivity.

They have been unable to build on that, though, failing to win any of the five meetings since, with a draw against Shrewsbury Town followed by consecutive defeats to Cambridge United, Rotherham United, Gillingham and Plymouth Argyle.

In the most recent outing, the Railwaymen led Plymouth until the break thanks to Chris Long's opener, but a disappointing second-half showing eventually saw them handed a 4-1 thrashing on home turf.

That meant Artell's men dropped below Gillingham and down to 23rd place, remaining eight points adrift in the drop zone, and, with four teams relegated to the fourth tier and only 16 games left to play, they will know that it is crucial they put an end to their slump if they are to remain in the hunt for survival this season.

Team News

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After a strong display on Tuesday, John Coleman may look to deploy an unchanged side this weekend, with John O'Sullivan again expected to play a key role in the front line after his goal last time out.

He will likely be joined by January signing Korede Adedoyin and experienced attacker Sean McConville, who has provided nine assists in league action so far this season.

Elsewhere, the back four of Mitch Clark, Ross Sykes, Michael Nottingham and Yeboah Amankwah should remain untouched after a secure showing and a clean sheet against Oxford.

Unlike the hosts, Artell may look to make changes to his team for Saturday as the Railwaymen look for a reversal in their fortunes.

Chris Long should again lead the line after his opening goal on Tuesday, while the likes of Callum Ainley, Travis Johnson and Oli Finney will all push to break into the starting XI.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:

Savin; Clark, Sykes, Nottingham, Amankwah; Leigh, Butcher, Hamilton; McConville, Adedoyin, O'Sullivan

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Jaaskelainen; Johnson, Sass-Davies, Offord, Uwakwe; Harper, Ainley, Finney; Agyei, Long, Sambou

We say: Accrington Stanley 3-1 Crewe Alexandra

Given their current form, we cannot see Crewe leaving the Wham Stadium with anything on Saturday.

John Coleman's side will be boosted by an impressive win on Tuesday, while their visitors arrive devoid of confidence and with defensive issues that can be exploited.