Tranmere Rovers host Crewe Alexandra on Saturday in one of many hugely important games across the EFL season’s penultimate weekend.
It is a crucial game for Tranmere, who know that equalling or bettering Carlisle United’s result at Cheltenham Town will see them secure their EFL status for next season. On the other hand, the visitors travel to Prenton Park knowing that, despite it being mathematically possible, the play-offs are realistically beyond their reach.
Current form
Rovers come into the game hoping to finally put their relegation fears behind them after failing to confirm their safety at the weekend following a 0-0 draw with Barrow.
The result meant that Andy Crosby’s side moved four points clear of relegation rivals Carlisle United and just three points away from EFL survival. Despite an upturn in form under Crosby, Tranmere have only managed one win in their last five league games—an impressive 4-0 home win against Chesterfield.
Throughout this run, the Merseyside outfit have drawn three times and lost once—a 3-0 defeat at home to promotion chasers Doncaster Rovers. Despite disappointment in their last home game, Rovers have been a tough nut to crack at Prenton Park under Crosby and have picked up 10 points from a possible 15 at home since he took charge.
Their opponents come into the game in a similar run of form and have also won just one of their last five. Currently sat in 11th place, Crewe have had a disappointing second half of the season and fallen away from the play-off picture.
After dropping out of the automatic promotion places on the 28th of January, Lee Bell’s side have won just three league games, losing eight and drawing seven.
While it is still mathematically possible for the Railwaymen to make the top seven, with the gap just five points with six points left to play for, realistically, they will have to settle for a mid-table finish.
Last time out
In the reverse fixture, Crewe came out on top, winning 3-1 at the Mornflake Stadium back in October. Despite Rovers forward Connor Jennings firing Tranmere into an early lead, a Shilow Tracey brace, followed by a Joel Tabiner header in the 84th minute, gave Lee Bell’s side all three points.
The result was perhaps not a shock to the Super White Army, given their side’s record away at Crewe. Tranmere are winless in their last 12 visits to Saturday’s opponents— a run stretching back to 1999.
Team news
The home side will be without long-term absentees Brad Walker, Luke Norris and Sol Solomon. Defender Cameron Norman could also be a doubt after going off injured in the first half against Barrow.
Tranmere will also be missing midfielder Sam Finley. The former Bristol Rovers midfielder had become a key member of the Rovers team since the departure of Nigel Adkins, but the club confirmed today that he has been handed a 13-game suspension due to a comment he made against Walsall back in January.
Lee Bell has confirmed that forward Omar Bogle and defender Ryan Cooney will be available for selection ahead of the weekend’s clash. The duo have been left out of the squad for the visitors’ last two games.
The Alex manager has also reiterated the importance of his loan players, stating that he has no intention of leaving them out of their final two games. Additionally, the 42-year-old revealed that changes are unlikely ahead of Saturday’s game, saying: “We won’t be making a lot of changes to the squad.”