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.

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.


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Written by
Andrew Delaney

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