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

Walsall host Crewe Alexandra in League Two action at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Boxing Day, keen to return to winning ways.

The gameweek 24 meeting brings the promotion outsiders face to face against a wobbling playoff contender.

Match preview

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Walsall's ambition to secure three wins on the trot suffered a setback when they were beaten 2-1 by Accrington Stanley on Saturday,

Mat Sadler's men seek a return to winning ways on Boxing Day, although the 16th-placed Saddlers cannot go higher than 13th in the table.

Their playoff prospects are realistically feasible owing to the seven-point gap to make on the current seventh-placed side Wimbledon, but it remains to be seen if Walsall can be consistent in the campaign's second half.

The West Midlands side recently returned to winning on their home turf, defeating Tranmere by a goal to record their first win as hosts in four matches.

Sadler hopes the motivation to claim consecutive home wins for his side drives the Saddlers to an impressive Boxing Day showing.

As for Crewe, the visiting side's domestic wobble threatens to undermine their prospects of making the season-ending playoffs.

Lee Bell's men picked up a 3-2 win over Doncaster Rovers on November 25, recording their third victory on the trot — and fifth in six games — but the Railwaymen are winless in the subsequent four fixtures.

Two losses and as many draws mean another reverse for Crewe sees them close to matching their defeats tally from the season's opening 18 fixtures in just five rounds.

Clean sheets are an undoubted worry for Bell's men, with none in the recent four gameweeks, lessening the optimism for Crewe supporters heading into Saturday.

Having been defeated in their recent away game by Grimsby Town, ending a three-match undefeated away run, the Railwaymen seek to bounce back from disappointment.

Team News

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David Okagbue was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining against Accrington, pointing to an alteration at centre-back for Walsall.

Sadler's men are expected to utilise a 3-5-2 with top-scoring Freddie Draper (nine goals) and Jamille Matt leading the attack.

Luke Offord should return to the Crewe defence after serving his suspension for a sending-off in the 3-3 draw with Accrington.

After utilising Tom Booth for Harvey Davies against Barrow, the latter could be reinstated between the sticks for the visiting side.

Bell tends to utilise several variations of a back three — mostly 3-4-3, 3-4-1-2 and 3-5-2 — and is not expected to change tack on Tuesday.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Smith; Earing, Farquharson, Von Daniels; Knowles, Comley, McEntee, Stirk, Gordon; Draper, Matt

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Walsall 2-2 Crewe Alexandra

Both sides could play out an entertaining draw at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Boxing Day, a result that keeps Crewe clinging on to their top seven spot.

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