Preview: Newport County vs. Crewe Alexandra - prediction, team news, lineups

Newport County and Crewe Alexandra bring their year to a close on Friday when they go head to head at Rodney Parade in round 25 of League Two.

It has been a tough festive season for the Railwaymen who are without a win in six consecutive games, but they will look to find their feet and close out the year on a positive note.

Match preview

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Newport County returned to winning ways in style when they fought back from two goals down to secure a 4-2 victory over 10-man Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day.

Trailing 2-0 at half time, the Ironsides dug deep and upped the ante in the second period, with goals coming from Lewis Payne, Ryan Delaney and a brace from 26-year-old Will Evans.

With that result, Graham Coughlan's men have now gone five consecutive home games without defeat in League Two, claiming two wins and three draws since a 2-1 loss against Harrogate Town on October 7.

Newport have now picked up eight wins from their 24 matches while losing 11 and claiming five draws to collect 29 points and sit 17th in the League Two table, 12 points above the danger zone.

On the other hand, it was a rather forgettable Boxing Day for Crewe Alexandra as they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Walsall when the sides squared off at the Bescot Stadium.

Teenage forward Freddie Draper found the back of the net for the second consecutive game to hand the hosts a 33rd-minute lead before Oisin McEntee made sure of the win shortly after the hour mark.

Crewe have now failed to win any of their last six matches across all competitions — four defeats and two draws — a run which 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 sixth in the League Two standings with 37 points from 23 matches, eight points adrift of third-placed Mansfield Town in the automatic promotion places.

While Crewe will look to arrest their slump in form and generate some momentum ahead of the second half of the season, they have failed to win their last three visits to Newport, losing twice and claiming one draw since a 2-1 victory in March 2018.

Team News

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Newport will take to the pitch without the defensive duo of Declan Drysdale and 18-year-old Josh Seberry, who continue their lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Kyle Jameson is currently recuperating from an injury that he sustained in August, while former Barrow forward Offrande Zanzala continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a severe injury back in February.

With his brace against Forest Green, Evans now has 14 league goals this season and the Welsh striker should spearhead Newport's attack once again, alongside strike partner Omar Bogle.

As for Crewe, Bell will be unable to name the midfield duo of Charlie Colkett and 18-year-old Matus Holicek, who have both been ruled out through injuries.

Twenty-year-old Joel Tabiner has been sidelined since coming off injured against Harrogate Town in October, while Conor Thomas is a major doubt for the Railwaymen after missing the Boxing Day clash with Walsall.

Luke Offord has served two of his three-match suspension following his straight red against Accrington Stanley on December 16 and the English midfielder will also sit out Friday's game.

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Townsend; Payne, Baker, Clarke, Delaney, McLoughlin; Charsley, Bennett, Wood; Evans, Bogle,

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Newport County 2-1 Crewe Alexandra

Newport extended their unbeaten home form with a resolute Boxing Day display against Forest Green Rovers and we are backing them to pick up where they left off and edge out a floundering Crewe side who have failed to taste victory since late November.

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