MX23RW : Thursday, January 30 00:06:52| >> :600:226984:226984:
[monks data]
Crewe Alexandra
League Two | Gameweek 23
Dec 22, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
Alexandra Stadium
Barrow

Crewe
1 - 3
Barrow

Nevitt (58')
Nevitt (40'), Baker-Richardson (64'), Demetriou (66'), Thomas (68')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Whitfield (27', 76'), Garner (50' pen.)
Spence (34'), White (61'), Farman (84'), Gotts (90')

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

Sports Mole previews Friday's League Two clash between Crewe Alexandra and Barrow, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two teams sitting towards the top of the League Two table will lock horns for a huge match on Friday evening, with fifth-placed Crewe Alexandra welcoming second-placed Barrow.

The home side will enter the contest off the back of a 3-3 draw with Accrington Stanley, while the visitors were 3-0 winners over Swindon Town in their last match at this level.


Match preview

General view of Crewe Alexandra's Gresty Road from 2014© Reuters

Crewe were relegated from League One at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, finishing 13th in League Two last term, but a successful season to date has left them up in fifth position.

The Alex have won 10, drawn seven and lost four of their 21 league games this season to collect 37 points, and they are only three points behind third-placed Wrexham in the race for automatic promotion.

Lee Bell's side will bring a four-game winless run into this match, though, including a 4-2 home loss to Bristol Rovers in the second round of the FA Cup, while they were beaten 2-1 at Grimsby Town in the league on December 9.

Crewe will enter this game off the back of a 3-3 draw with Accrington, and they actually needed a 98th-minute goal from Elliott Nevitt to secure a point in what was a pulsating game of football.

The Railwaymen have been impressive at home this season, though, picking up 24 points from their 11 fixtures in front of their own fans, which is the third-strongest record in the division.

Barrow manager Pete Wild celebrates after winning the penalty shoot out on August 9, 2022© Reuters

Barrow, meanwhile, have the best away record in League Two this season, picking up 21 points from their 12 games on their travels.

The Bluebirds earned promotion to League Two at the end of the 2019-20 campaign, finishing 21st, 22nd and ninth in their three seasons at this level, and the team are bidding to earn promotion to League One for the first time in their history.

Pete Wild's side are enjoying a strong campaign, boasting a record of 11 wins, seven draws and three defeats from their 21 matches, which has left them in second position in the table on 40 points.

Barrow are six points off leaders Stockport County but level with third-placed Wrexham, while Mansfield Town in fourth are just a point behind, so it is a fascinating battle towards the top.

The visitors are on a six-game winning run in League Two, including a 3-0 success over Swindon Town last weekend, while they are unbeaten at this level of football since the start of October.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:


Crewe Alexandra form (all competitions):


Barrow League Two form:


Barrow form (all competitions):



Team News

Crewe will be without the services of central defender Luke Offord on Friday following his red card in the latter stages of the contest with Accrington last time out.

Ryan Cooney could therefore come into the starting side, but the hosts have not reported any injury problems following their pulsating draw.

Courtney Baker-Richardson, who has scored eight league goals this season, started on the bench against Accrington, but he is set to be back in the starting side for this match.

As for Barrow, head coach Wild is expected to name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Swindon in the league last time out.

The goals have been shared around for Barrow this season, which has been a huge part of their success, but Emile Acquah has five goals in the league this term, and he will feature in the final third of the field.

There should also be another start for Dominic Telford, with Gerard Garner expected to be among the substitutes for the first whistle on Friday night.


Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Davies; O'Riordan, Cooney, Demetriou; Billington, Thomas, White, Rowe, Adebisi; Nevitt, Baker-Richardson

Barrow possible starting lineup:
Farman; Chester, Ray, Canavan; Worrall, Spence, White, Foley, Newby; Telford, Acquah


SM words green background

We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Barrow

It is the third-best home record in the division this season meeting the strongest away from home, so it is shaping up to be a fascinating affair. Both managers will be wary of losing, which could create a cagey match, and we are expecting the points to be shared on Friday night.



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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:531807:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12574:
Written by
Matt Law

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Crewe vs Barrow

Crewe Alexandra
28.6%
Draw
14.3%
Barrow
57.1%
14
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Blackpool boss Michael Appleton on August 16, 2022
Read Next:
Saturday's FA Cup predictions including Gillingham vs. Charlton
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall27184552282458
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster2814774031949
3Notts County27138643271647
4Bradford CityBradford27138638271147
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe281211535241147
6AFC Wimbledon26136738201845
7Port Vale2712963328545
8Salford City2712783124743
9Chesterfield27109843311239
10Grimsby Town28123133845-739
11MK Dons27115114138338
12Fleetwood TownFleetwood269983531436
13Bromley2781183635135
14Cheltenham TownCheltenham2798103639-335
15Colchester UnitedColchester2771373028234
16Swindon TownSwindon29810113843-534
17Gillingham2695122427-332
18BarrowBarrow2787122731-431
19Accrington StanleyAccrington2678113343-1029
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2985162440-1629
21Newport CountyNewport2676133446-1227
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2768132043-2326
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2756162141-2021
24Morecambe2755172242-2020


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!