Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Bradford City - prediction, team news, lineups

Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City kickstart their year on Monday when they go head-to-head at Gresty Road in round 26 of the League Two season.

While the hosts are aiming to end a six-match winless streak in the league, the visitors are looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches on New Year's Day.

Match preview

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Christopher Long's goal was not enough as Crewe settled for a 1-1 draw against Newport County last time out, extending their winless run in League Two to six matches.

The Railwaymen have now failed to win any of their last seven matches across all competitions — four defeats and three draws — a run that also saw them crash out of the FA Cup courtesy of a 4-2 loss against Bristol Rovers on December 12.

For all their recent struggles, Lee Bell's men are currently eighth in the League Two standings with 38 points from 24 matches, eight points adrift of second-placed Mansfield Town and third-placed Wrexham in the automatic promotion places.

Crewe will look to turn their form around in the new year, and will have a chance to get off the mark against an opponent they have beaten in their last four meetings at Gresty Road.

However, they have failed to win their last two home league matches, which is a major source of concern against an opponent that is currently heading in a positive direction.

Bradford City settled for a goalless draw against Stockport last time out to extend their unbeaten run in League Two to six matches.

Graham Alexander's side have not lost any of their last eight matches across all competitions — a run that saw them win six consecutive matches, including 5-1 and 4-0 victories against Barnsley and Liverpool Under-21s in the EFL Trophy.

The Bantams are now 11th in the league table with 34 points from 24 matches, and only four points off the final playoff spot.

Bradford's appointment of Alexander has proved inspiring, with the former Salford boss quickly guiding them out of the doldrums.

After three consecutive away wins, which has seen them score eight goals and concede only one, the Bantams will head into this fixture feeling confident of leaving Gresty Road with a positive result.

Team News

Crewe will be without the midfield duo of Charlie Colkett and 18-year-old Matus Holicek, who have both been ruled out through injuries.

Joel Tabiner has been sidelined since coming off injured against Harrogate Town in October, while Conor Thomas remains a major doubt for the Railwaymen after missing the last two matches.

Bradford will remain without Alex Pattison, who has now missed the last two matches due to a hamstring strain.

Jamie Walker may also be ruled out once again, with Alexander likely to stick with the same starting lineup from the draw against Stockport County.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Davies; Offord, O'Riordan, Demetriou; Cooney, Thomas, White, Adebisi; Tracey; Nevitt, Baker-Richardson

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Tomkinson, Platt, Kelly; Halliday, Smallwood, Gilliead, Richards; Oduor; Cook, Smith

We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Bradford City

Both teams are heading in different directions at the moment, with the visitors experiencing a turnaround since Alexander took charge while the hosts are struggling.

The result is likely to show the reality of where both sides are right now, as Bradford have shown they can win on the road in recent games.

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