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

The sides who occupy the bottom two positions in the League One table will face off on Tuesday, when Crewe Alexandra welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Mornflake Stadium.

The hosts are rooted to the bottom of the table with only eight points to their name, while Doncaster have collected 11 points, which leaves them four points adrift of safety.

Match preview

© Reuters

It has been a disappointing campaign for Crewe so far after winning just one of their 15 league games this season, which leaves them seven points off safety.

Tuesday's hosts are winless in their previous eight league encounters, while their previous four league matches have all ended in defeat.

In their most recent outing, Crewe conceded four goals for the second consecutive home game when they suffered a 4-1 defeat to MK Dons.

In that encounter, Chris Long cancelled out Mo Eisa's opener, but the floodgates then opened with Matt O'Riley netting before Donervon Daniels scored an own goal, with Max Watters wrapping up the scoring for MK Dons.

If David Artell's side are to start winning games, they will need to improve at both ends of the pitch, scoring just 11 league goals, while shipping 28 goals this term.

© Reuters

Doncaster have also struggled this term, winning just three league games, and as a result are languishing in the relegation zone.

Before Saturday's encounter with Charlton Athletic, Richie Wellens's side had collected four points from their previous two games, but any confidence built from those performances was quashed at the weekend.

At The Valley, Rovers did not offer much resistance, conceding two goals in either half as Charlton eased to a 4-0 victory.

The concern for Doncaster will be the fact they have scored the fewest number of goals in the league, with Rovers only finding the net on 10 occasions this term.

Wellens will also be apprehensive of another away trip, as his side are still looking for their first point on the road this season after losing all seven of their away league games.

Team News

© Reuters

Crewe's Ben Knight has returned to light training following an ankle problem, but Tuesday's fixture comes too soon for the Manchester City loanee.

The hosts will be without Callum Ainley, who has a hamstring injury.

Artell brought Mikael Mandron into the starting lineup at the weekend, and the forward is set to lead the line once again on Tuesday.

Fejiri Okenabirhie is still absent with an Achilles problem, while Cameron John is also unavailable due to a back issue.

Rovers are also without the services of Ben Close with the midfielder out due to a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Tommy Rowe was introduced in the second half at the weekend, and he is likely to start the encounter at left-back.

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Jaaskelainen; Adebisi, Daniels, Offord, McFadzean; Murphy, Robertson, Lowery; Long, Bennett, Mandron

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Dahlberg; Olowu, Williams, Anderson, Rowe; Galbraith, Bostock, Smith; Vilca, Hiwula, Dodoo

We say: Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

Both sides will see this as a great opportunity to collect a rare victory, and given the fact that Crewe have won their last three competitive home fixtures against Doncaster, we think the hosts will edge this encounter.

Previews by email