In-form League Two side Crewe Alexandra host Bristol Rovers of League One in the FA Cup second round on Saturday.

The hosts are well in the mix for automatic promotion, while Rovers remain without a permanent manager following the sacking of Joey Barton over a month ago.

Match preview

As all of League Two takes the weekend off for the FA Cup, Crewe will be very happy with their current position as one of the five teams separated by just one point, between second and sixth.

Only runaway leaders Stockport County have beaten Lee Bell's side across their last 10 games, as that run has yielded seven wins.

Averaging more than two-goals-per-game in the league, Crewe also flexed their attacking muscles in the previous round against Derby County, almost causing a huge shock here, before eventually doing so in a replay.

Crewe were 2-0 up heading into the final minute of the 90 in the original tie, but two late Derby goals forced a replay, where Bell's side were very impressive, winning 3-1 at Pride Park.

The second round is as far as Crewe have managed in recent years though, and they failed to get past this stage last season, losing to Barnsley, as they have reached the third round just once since 2009.

Opponents Bristol Rovers have been slightly more successful in that regard, reaching round three in three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2022, but they went out to non-league Boreham Wood at this stage last season.

After making it to the quarter-finals in 2007-08, Rovers have been nowhere near that since, but if caretaker manager Andy Mangan can lead them to the third round here, that may do his chances of taking the job full-time the world of good.

Mangan has been standing in since Barton was sacked and has been under consideration after showing some promising signs in the hotseat, but it appears most likely that the club may opt for another candidate.

In his seven games in charge, Mangan has won four and drawn twice, but Garry Monk and Matt Taylor are now the frontrunners to take charge, with Nathan Jones also being mentioned.

That run of form has moved Rovers eight points clear of the drop, but they are nine points adrift of the playoffs, currently marooned in mid-table.

Nothing has been announced yet by the club despite the caretaker sounding rather reserved in his post-match interview after drawing with Leyton Orient on Tuesday, so it appears likely Mangan will be in charge again.

Team News

Crewe's top scorer Christopher Long remains doubtful with the injury he picked up against Harrogate Town in October, which has kept him out of the last six games.

With Long potentially missing out again, Joel Tabiner remains on the treatment table too, after picking up an issue in the same game at the EnviroVent Stadium just over a month ago.

Zac Williams and Jack Powell are both set to miss out in defence, with Slovakian Under-19 midfielder Matus Holicek also sidelined.

Bristol Rovers are likely to be without Welsh youngster Luca Hoole, who has suffered with intermittent injuries for much of the season.

Luke McCormick may return soon after almost two months out, but this may come too soon for him, while Jordan Rossiter remains a long-term absentee in midfield for the visitors.

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

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Cox; Hunt, Taylor, Wilson, Gordon; Brown, Evans, Ward, Thomas, Vale; Martin

We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Bristol Rovers

Crewe are in excellent form and have proven difficult to beat over the past two months, even against sides in the division above.

With Mangan potentially coming to the end of his spell in caretaker charge of Bristol Rovers, seeing them into the third round would be a huge achievement after a more-than-respectable set of results in charge, but this looks like it could go to a replay.


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