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

Crewe Alexandra take on Stoke City in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, with the hosts looking to test themselves against a higher division team for the second successive game.

Stoke, meanwhile, have played one fewer friendly than their forthcoming opponents, so could have a little more rust to shake off.

---

Match preview

Crewe made it four wins from four in pre-season with a superb 1-0 victory against Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The visitors were competing in their first game under new manager Bruno Lage, who introduced several youngsters in the second half.

David Artell's side took full advantage, with Christopher Long tapping in from close range after the break to score the decisive goal of the match.

After winning 4-1, 5-1 and 6-0 against non-league opposition in their previous three friendlies, Artell will be looking to keep his players grounded ahead of Tuesday's test against Stoke.

Stoke, meanwhile, enjoyed a 6-0 rout of Linfield as their pre-season training camp in Northern Ireland came to an end on Saturday.

The Potters produced an impressive performance against the Northern Irish champions, particularly considering manager Michael O'Neill had reflected on it coming off the back of a gruelling week's work of fitness preparation for his players.

Jacob Brown netted a superb a hat-trick during the win, with Steven Fletcher, Nick Powell and youngster D'Margio Wright-Phillips all getting themselves on the scoresheet, too.

However, O'Neill will be fully aware that Crewe will provide a much stiffer test on Tuesday, particularly after their morale-boosting win against Wolves at the weekend.

---

Team News

Will Jaaskelainen, who is the son of former Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Jussi, could start in goal for Crewe after featuring in the second half of Saturday's win against Wolves.

Otherwise, Artell is unlikely to make any changes to a side which was so impressive in beating Premier League opposition.

While O'Neill will be cautious of burning his players out, he is unlikely to make many changes from the side which comfortably dispatched Linfield at the weekend.

Marko Vrancic made his first appearance for the club since joining from Norwich City earlier this summer, while Joe Allen featured for 25 minutes after joining pre-season a little later than some of his teammates due to his involvement at Euro 2020 for Wales.

Powell could start at the apex of the midfield after impressing from the bench in Northern Ireland.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Jaaskelainen; Ramsay, Adebisi, Murphy, Hoban; Offord, Ainley, Finney; Long, Kirk, Dale

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Bursik; Smith, Wilmot, Batth, Fox; Clucas, Vrancic, Powell; Brown, Fletcher, Tymon

---

We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Stoke City

We can envisage a very closely fought affair in Crewe on Tuesday, with the hosts looking to prove their win against Wolves at the weekend was no fluke.

Stoke could be a little tired after only returning from a week in Northern Ireland on Saturday night, but their individual quality should help them avoid defeat at the least.

---