Bristol Rovers v Crewe Alex 25-26 Preview - Tight at the Top

Fun Fact: The Alex have only lost 2 'first game of the month' games since the start of last season. Those being last season, where they lost away at Barrow in August and against Walsall in May, their first and last games ironically. This season, they've gone 4-3-0 in their opening games of the month. It would be nice if they continued that fun little run as they play in Bristol for the first time in a fair while. Here is my preview of their visit to the Memorial Stadium:

14 years

It's crazy to think it's been 14 years since Alex fans have seen their side play at the Memorial Stadium. The team's last visit at all was back in 2021, when grounds were still closed due to Covid restrictions. Their last visit when fans were in attendance was back in December 2011 and it saw them win 5-2, with goals from Nick Powell and Ajay Leitch-Smith do the damage. Another scorer was Dave Artell, with Lee Bell also in the starting XI.

I wonder if, in 14 years time, this game's starting XI for the Alex will have contained 2 future Crewe Alex managers? And I wonder what fans would have said had a time traveller from today gone back to that game in 2011 and told you that 2 players from that starting XI would go on to be future Alex managers, with one getting them promoted and the other getting them to Wembley?

Improving

The Gas have had a horrible season, but there are signs that things are maybe starting to turn for them, especially at home. Since the end of the transfer window, they've picked up 3 wins from their last 4 in Bristol, scoring 10 goals in that run and beating Walsall and Grimsby as well. Their only defeat came against Chesterfield. They are feeling more confident and their winter additions of Joe Quigley, Kofi Balmer and Yusuf Akhamrich are all making instant impacts with goals. They'll be a dangerous side for sure and if the Alex aren't on their game, they'll get comfortably beaten.

Different

Speaking of those players, the Gas will look very different in this game line up wise from the one the Alex saw before Christmas. Only 2 of that starting XI started against Swindon last week. 8 of the squad they brought to Gresty Road have now, whilst 8 of their 9 new signings were all present at Swindon. This means you can pretty much write off everything you remember about them from that first meeting. They are a totally different side right now.

Unbeaten Run

The Alex though will take some form into the game. They've built a 4 game unbeaten run on the road, taking results from Bromley and Swindon in that stretch. Whilst Rovers are in a reasonable run of form on their own patch, there is no reason the Alex can't go down there and bring home a result. It's especially true given the Gas haven't beaten the Alex in the league since 1996. Granted there have only been 9 league meetings in that span, including none between 1997 and 2007, but still, an impressive run the Alex can hopefully keep going.

Big Crowds

I'm going to make the opposite point next week against Walsall, but the Alex unfortunately have struggled on the road in the bigger stadiums this season. In the 9 away games where the crowds were over 4,000, they are 2-2-5. In the other 8, they are 4-3-2. Given 4 of their last 6 trips are all to teams who average well over 4,000, they'll need to overcome these issues.

Tight at the Top

It's very tight in the race for the play-offs isn't it? The teams from 6th down to 11th all separated by just 3 points. On paper, the fixtures once again look favourable for the Alex this weekend. Whilst they take on the side in 20th, Grimsby play Bromley, Salford host Barnet and Walsall take on Notts County. With the table so tight, every point matters. This is a big opportunity for them to once again edge ahead in the table. A win, with some kind results elsewhere(Bromley win, Notts County win and a draw at Salford would be ideal), would be massive for them as they enter their final 10 games.

Ref Watch

Ed Duckworth

Duckworth is back for his 2nd Alex game in which they face a south west opponent, after doing their home game against Newport back in December. He sent Courtney Baker-Richardson off in that game and I was relatively impressed by his performance. More of the same in this one please.

2025-26 Record: 29 games(5 Championship, 12 League One, 8 League Two, 1 FA Cup, 3 League Cup), 111 yellows, 7 reds

Last Game: Doncaster Rovers 0-4 Cardiff City, EFL League One, 28th February 2026, 2 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 0-1-0, 1 yellow

Injuries/Absences

Bristol Rovers

The Gas have a short injury list it appears, with just striker Promise Omochere and midfielder Josh McEachran missing. Aside from that look be in relative good health.

Crewe Alex

I'm hoping that Bell is playing mind games when discussing whether Tezgel and Sanders would be back. Or he could be playing it safe and leaving them another week for the Walsall game. If they are back, it would just Tabiner, Tracey and Lunt as noteworthy injured absentees.

Team

If Bell is being true on Sanders and he doesn't make it, the manager still has options. He could opt to switch to a back 3, with Connolly coming in and having a back 8 of Lawlor, Hutchinson, Pond, Demetriou, Connolly, Billington, Powell and Holicek. The front 3 would then be interchangable. It could be March and Thibaut together with O'Reilly in behind. It could be Agius and O'Reilly in support of just March.

Or, he could keep the 4-2-3-1 and a similar XI to last week. I would not be in favour of this, as it was only after changes were made did they improve. I think he'll go with a back 3.

Score Prediction

I've struggled to get a read on this game all week. You tell me Steve Evans once again does a job on the Alex in front of a fired up Memorial Stadium and gets a win. Yep, I could see that. You tell me it's a hard fought battling draw. Also plausible. A 1-0/2-1 away win. Very possible. For now, I'm going to sit on the fence and go for the middle option, a well earned draw.

Bristol Rovers 1-1 Crewe Alexandra