Crewe vs Tranmere preview
Friday 16 November 2018 13:55, UK
Crewe boss David Artell may make changes again when his side host Tranmere as he looks to halt a four-game losing run.
Ryan Wintle was omitted from the squad last weekend in the FA Cup defeat at home to Carlisle but he returned as a substitute against Shrewsbury in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night and could push for a starting place.
Nicky Hunt, Callum Ainley and Charlie Kirk are also options for Artell, having been substitutes in midweek. Paul Green remains the only injury absentee for Crewe, who have lost their last two league matches.
Tranmere have Luke McCullough available again after Doncaster denied him permission to play in the FA Cup as part of their loan arrangement. Cole Stockton has resumed training after an injury lay off while Liam Ridehalgh is also back in training and featured in the Cheshire Senior Cup on Wednesday night.
Zoumana Bakayogo is fit again and could feature, having been an unused substitute for the past two matches. Evan Gumbs is pushing for more playing minutes but he may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Opta stats
This will be the first Football League meeting between Crewe and Tranmere since January 2014, in the third tier, a game in which Tranmere picked up a 1-0 victory.
Crewe are unbeaten in seven Football League games against Tranmere on home soil (W5 D2) since a 0-2 defeat back in October 1999.
Crewe (9) have failed to score in more League Two games this season than any other side.
Tranmere have lost just one of their last eight League Two games (W5 D2), a 1-3 defeat against Forest Green Rovers in their last away league outing.
Tranmere's Connor Jennings has assisted a joint-league-high five goals so far this campaign (joint with Morecambe's Liam Mandeville).
Prutton's prediction
Crewe have done a great job of beating the teams around or below them to stay away from trouble so far this season. Of their five wins, four have come against teams currently in the bottom eight.
The form Tranmere are in probably spells trouble for them. Rovers are having a superb season on their return to the Football League and James Norwood has proved he can score goals at this level. I fancy them for a narrow win.
David Prutton predicts: 0-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
