Preview:Sheffield Wednesday vs. Crewe Alexandra - prediction, team news, lineups

Sheffield Wednesday will look to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches when they play host to relegated Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday.

The hosts - who sit in fifth position - are currently embroiled in a fierce battle for the playoff places, while the visitors are propping up the League One table.

Match preview

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Sheffield Wednesday enter Tuesday's contest level on points with Wycombe and Sunderland, but due to a superior goal difference, the Owls reside in fifth position.

Darren Moore's side picked up a crucial three points on Saturday, with the Owls getting the better of promotion hopefuls MK Dons.

Saido Berahino and Lee Gregory gave Wednesday a two-goal lead before Barry Bannan scored a spectacular long-distance effort that put Moore's charges 3-0 up within 30 minutes.

Troy Parrott gave the Dons a lifeline before the break, but a Scott Twine strike in the sixth minute of stoppage time came too late to stop the Owls from collecting all three points courtesy of a 3-2 victory.

After winning nine of their previous 11 home games, Sheffield Wednesday will be confident that they can claim a third consecutive home victory on Tuesday.

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The visitors, meanwhile, have three games left to play in their current two-season stay in League One, with Crewe's relegation already confirmed.

David Artell was sacked following the defeat to Doncaster - which relegated the Railwaymen - with Alex Morris put in charge until the end of the season.

Although they are heading through the trap door, Crewe received a much-needed boost on Friday when they beat AFC Wimbledon 3-1 to end a run of eight consecutive defeats.

Crewe were trailing at half time against the Dons following Sam Cosgrove's 19th-minute strike, but they turned the game on its head in the second period, with Mikael Mandron, Chris Long and Bassala Sambou all scoring to help their side to just their third victory of 2022.

Despite emerging victorious from Friday's encounter, the Railwaymen will enter Tuesday's game in pessimistic mood with the visitors currently holding the worst away record in League One.

Team News

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The hosts are expected to be without Sam Hutchinson and Dominic Iorfa, who are both struggling with injuries, while Massimo Luongo is a doubt.

Harlee Dean could also miss out after he was forced off in the first half of the MK Dons clash due to a calf issue.

Berahino scored on his return to the starting lineup on Saturday and the 28-year-old will continue to partner Gregory in the frontline against Crewe.

As for the visitors, Scott Kashket could be unavailable after he had to be withdrawn in the 40th minute of Friday's encounter due to an injury issue.

Billy Sass-Davies has started the last two matches, and he will continue to partner Luke Offord in the centre of defence.

Meanwhile, Mandron will once again lead the line for the visitors after the forward netted his seventh league goal of the season against Wimbledon.

Sheffield Wednesday possible starting lineup:

Peacock-Farrell; Storey, Dunkley, Palmer; Hunt, Byers, Bannan, Dele-Bashiru, Johnson; Berahino, Gregory

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Richards; Lundstram, Sass-Davies, Offord, Williams; Harper, Lowery; Ainley, Finney, Long; Mandron

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 Crewe Alexandra

Sheffield Wednesday currently hold the joint-best home record in the division, and we think that they will make light work of a Crewe team that have picked up just nine points on their travels this season.