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League Two | Gameweek 38
May 3, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
Alexandra Stadium
BC

Crewe
3 - 2
Bradford

Agyei (16', 43'), Long (90+11' pen.)
Williams (15'), Agyei (86'), Baker-Richardson (90+9')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Cook (46'), Walker (54')
Crichlow (8'), Banks (78')

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

:Headline: Preview: Crewe Alexandra vs. Bradford City - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Wednesday's League Two clash between Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Crewe Alexandra host Bradford City in their final home League Two game of the season at the Alexandra Stadium on Wednesday.

In the last remaining game in hand before the league's finale next Monday, there is still a lot on the line for the visitors.


Match preview

Bradford will confirm their place in the League Two playoffs if they avoid defeat in this one.

However, their sights might still be set a little higher than just a playoff place, given the luxury of having a game in hand on the rest of the league.

Romoney Critchlow-Noble's 94th-minute winner against Northampton Town at the weekend has kept alive slim hopes that they could go up automatically at Northampton's expense.

The result means Northampton will go into the final game on 80 points, while Bradford have 75, but still with two games remaining.

Stockport County are also in the mix, so needing two wins and more than one other result to go their way means it is an unlikely scenario to go in Bradford's favour.

Having two games to claim the one point needed for a playoff spot should not be too much of an arduous task though, especially for a side who have lost only two of their last 20 league games.

Only Stockport have taken more points in the league during that period, as a late-season rally from Mark Hughes's side should surely reward them with a shot at promotion in the playoffs.

If that run of form was not enough to give them huge confidence, the fact that no side in the league has picked up more points-per-game on the road than Bradford should - as they have averaged 1.77 points in their League Two away matches this season.

Despite being safe from relegation, though, Crewe have continued to show fantastic form at home, and no signs of complacency or taking it easy have sneaked in.

Their last six matches here at the Alexandra Stadium have yielded a brilliant 16 points, with the only dropped points in that time coming surprisingly against already-relegated Rochdale.

Lee Bell's side have won 36 of their 54 points this season at home, so they will be glad to be among familiar surroundings again after a win against Swindon Town here on Saturday.

Six defeats from seven away from home show the difference in fortunes on the road, but with a chance of moving into the top half from 16th with two positive results to finish the season could provide encouragement.

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

Bradford City League Two form:


Team News

Crewe started with five teenagers in their win over Swindon at the weekend, and Bell could opt to stick with them considering they are playing just for pride.

Eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Tom Young made his debut for the club between the sticks in that win and should retain his place.

Rod McDonald was voted player of the season at the club's annual awards ceremony this week in a fine first season at the club and should start in the centre of defence.

The fitness of Rio Adebisi will be monitored as the club hope he can return before the end of the season, while Charlie Finney went off early at the weekend so is a doubt.

Hughes picked an unchanged Bradford team for the win over Northampton, but they did welcome back Adam Clayton after six games out with a hamstring injury.

Clayton was introduced in injury time shortly before the winner, but he may remain on the bench once more.

The ever-present Andy Cook scored on Saturday and assisted the winner, and he is set to be named League Two top scorer thanks to his excellent tally of 27 goals this season.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Booth; Mellor, O'Riordan, McDonald, Uwakwe; Tabiner, Finnigan, Thomas; Agyei, Baker-Richardson, Long

Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Halliday, Stubbs, Critchlow-Noble, Ridehalgh; Gilliead, Smallwood, Walker; Banks, Cook, Nevers


We say: Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Bradford City

Crewe's home form has been excellent to close out the season, but they now come up against a side determined to make a late push for promotion.

Bradford have been superb in 2023 and should seal at least a playoff place before the final day here.


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


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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Port Vale149322315830
2Walsall1382326141226
3Notts County1475222121026
4Doncaster RoversDoncaster148242016426
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe137331612424
6Chesterfield1457228151322
7Bradford CityBradford146442015522
8MK Dons146352116521
9BarrowBarrow146351511421
10Grimsby Town147071825-721
11Gillingham146261512320
12Salford City145541416-220
13AFC Wimbledon11614189919
14Newport CountyNewport146171824-619
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood134631915418
16Cheltenham TownCheltenham145271821-317
17Harrogate TownHarrogate144371119-815
18Bromley133551517-214
19Tranmere RoversTranmere13355816-814
20Accrington StanleyAccrington133461522-713
21Colchester UnitedColchester132651620-412
22Swindon TownSwindon142661520-512
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1422101228-168
24Morecambe141491225-137
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