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

Crewe Alexandra could move into League Two's automatic promotion spots with a victory against Tranmere Rovers at the Mornflake Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As things stand, the hosts are sixth in the table, while the visitors are down in 22nd place owing to a very poor start to the campaign.

Match preview

After just over a quarter of the season played, Crewe are in a very promising position in the table, currently two points behind third-placed Gillingham, which means they could move into the automatic promotion spots with a win this weekend.

The main reason the Railwaymen have emerged as promotion contenders is their attacking prowess, having scored 28 goals in their opening 12 games, the highest amount of any side in the fourth tier.

Lee Bell's side have also been very impressive at the Mornflake Stadium, having picked up 14 points from their opening six home games, winning four and drawing two.

Crewe won their last League Two match at the Mornflake Stadium 2-0, but they have since gone on to lose their previous two matches in all competitions, most recently coming up short in a 3-0 defeat against Wrexham in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.

However, on paper the Alex have an easier match awaiting them this weekend, as Tranmere Rovers have been very poor so far this season, currently sitting just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Ian Dawes was sacked back in September after a run of six successive defeats, and Birkenhead-born Nigel Adkins has since taken charge, managing to steady the ship somewhat in his first five games in charge.

After losing 3-2 at Crawley Town in his opening match, Adkins has since steered the Rovers to seven points from their last four games, picking up home wins against Accrington Stanley and Bradford City.

However, the new manager has been unable to turn around Tranmere's away form, as they are still yet to pick up a single point on their travels this season, losing their opening five matches.

On Tuesday night, Adkins's side were knocked out of the EFL Trophy after just two games due to a 1-0 defeat at home against Leicester City Under-21s, so they will be looking to respond with a victory this weekend.

Team News

Christopher Long is Crewe's top scorer in League Two this season, with six goals to his name, and the striker could return to the starting lineup on Saturday, after missing the last two matches due to a foot injury.

Conor Thomas has been absent due to a calf injury, but he is now back on the training field, while Charlie Colkett is also available for selection after recovering from a hamstring problem.

As for Tranmere, Luke Norris and Jake Leake are back on the grass in training as they continue their recovery from injury, but the duo are unlikely to involved this weekend.

Reece McAlear misses out due to a foot injury, while Jordan Turnbull is serving the last game of his suspension, meaning Josef Yarney is set to partner captain Tom Davies at centre-back.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Davies; Demetriou, O'Riordan, Adebisi; Rowe, Tracey, Powell, Tabiner, Williams; Long, Baker-Richardson

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:

McGee; O'Connor, Davies, Yarney, Wood; Jennings, Hendry, Morris, Hawkes; Dennis, Saunders

We say: Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere Rovers are yet to pick up a single point away from home in League Two, and they have failed to beat Crewe away from home in the league since October 1999.

As such, we expect the hosts to pick up a relatively comfortable victory this weekend, keeping them in the hunt for the automatic promotion places.

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