- Salford form: Salford City have won four of their last five League Two games, suffering only one defeat in that run (W4, D0, L1).
- Crewe form: Crewe Alexandra have only won two of their last five League Two matches (W2, D1, L2).
- Away record: Salford City have won 10 of their 20 away League Two fixtures.
Alexandra Park clash of styles
The Mornflake Stadium contest between 7th-placed Crewe Alexandra (63pts from 40 games) and 6th-placed Salford City (70pts from 40 games) promises to be a tactical chess match between possession-based control and direct, pragmatic soccer.
Crewe’s approach
Lee Bell’s Crewe Alexandra approaches every game with a possession-based philosophy, with their Academy players playing on the front foot and technical players dictating the tempo. The Railwaymen set up in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 and have been in decent form of late, recording two wins, one draw and two losses across their last five.
Josh March leads the line for Crewe with 11 goals in 34 League Two appearances, but the club’s philosophy and attacking players ensure that they are always a threat going forward. However, they may struggle against Salford City, as they have failed to beat the Ammies in their last two home meetings.
Salford’s winning streak
Recent form
Lee Bell’s Crewe Alexandra are on a two-game winning streak in League Two, which started with a 4-0 victory away at Shrewsbury Town before a 2-1 victory at home to Oldham Athletic last time out. Lee Bell’s possession-based, academy-driven approach emphasizes patient build-up and midfield control.
Salford profile
Salford have a fluid back four, with Ryan Graydon, their top marksman with 10 goals in 40 League Two matches. They play a vertical style, blending directness with good wing play to allow them to transition between phases, while their excellent pressing and compactness have ensured a recent surge up the table.
- Lee Bell’s Crewe Alexandra are on a two-game winning streak in League Two, which started with a 4-0 victory away at Shrewsbury Town before a 2-1 victory at home to Oldham Athletic last time out.
- Lee Bell’s possession-based, academy-driven approach emphasizes patient build-up and midfield control.
- Salford have a fluid back four, with Ryan Graydon, their top marksman with 10 goals in 40 League Two matches.
Salford set to edge Alexandra in tight matchup
Crewe Alexandra have a solid home record this season in League Two (W11, D4, L5) and they have conceded an average of 1.25 goals per game at the Mornflake Stadium. Salford City, on the other hand, have scored the same average (1.25 goals per away game).
Given Salford City’s recent form, the fact that Crewe Alexandra have failed to beat them in their last two home meetings and that Salford have 10 away wins in League Two this season, they should be able to edge a close encounter on Monday. Salford are the better side with a solid form across the last few months and their clinical edge up front could see them edge this game, so we’re taking an away win at 2.36. Fabio Borini has scored three of Salford’s last six goals and is an anytime scorer pick.
