Crewe vs Preston Prediction – Two teams at different ends of the table could prove decisive some the final league table

Preston’s position in the playoffs is assured. Currently sat in fourth place, the team will get their chance to play for a promotion to the Championship in the coming weeks. However, in order to make sure that they achieve their goals amid the trials and tribulations of the playoffs, they will want to make sure that they stick to winning ways. Crewe, however, find themselves in a difficult position. While they are currently safe, it was only a recent draw which has seen them rise out of the danger zone by a single point. In order to secure their League One status, Crewe will need to get points from their remaining games. With both teams lining up in similar formations, this will likely come down to a battle between the individual quality of the players and the motivations of the teams involved.

Form

With both teams finding themselves at opposite ends of the table, it is no surprise to see that the form of the teams involved is so starkly different. With three wins from their last five and two in their last matches, Preston have secured a playoff spot. Now that second place is unlikely, they will be playing to keep this kind of form going. A resolute defence has been enough to make sure that their low scoring (compared to those surrounding them in the table) has not been too much of a hindrance.

Crewe find themselves in a precarious position. Just a point above the drop zone, they have two draws in their last two matches. While those below them are conspiring to do worse, one slip up could be all it takes to plunge Crewe right back into the mix. Goals in the previous two games have been hard to come by and it is only a defensive solidity that has seen them take any points. Of the bottom five, they might be referred to as the form team, but that would be faint praise given recent results.

Team News

Perhaps the most significant team news for Crewe this week is that their manager has put the ink to a new contract. Liam Nolan is clearly backed by the club, so the boost from securing his long term future might add extra impetus to a squad who have been lacking in recent weeks. As well as this, Max Clayton continues to make his way back from an ankle injury which has kept him out since November and may feature from the bench. Chuks Aneke has also now returned from suspension and could start.

After concerns over the fitness of Tom Clarke, the defender is thought to have shaken off a thigh strain which has been troubling him for a few games. He is thought to start from the bench, coming on into the left back position. Scott Wiseman will likely miss out, while Keith Keane has returned to the squad recently and Preston will be hoping that he manages to stay fit.

Crewe

P45 W12 D12 L21

WLWDD

Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Garrett; Guthrie, Ellis, Dugdale, Tootle; Turton, Grant, Nolan, Moore; Pogba, Aneke

Preston

P44 W23 D16 L06

DWLWW

Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Rudd; Keane, King, Wright, Laird; Holmes, Browne, Welsh, Gallagher; Beavon, Garner

Prediction: Crewe 1 - 1 Preston

Crewe struggle for goals and Preston might be tempted to try a few attacking alternates with an eye on the play offs.