Cambridge United v Crewe Alex 25-26 Preview - Travel Sickness

Would it shock you to know that of all L2 teams, Tranmere's Prenton Park isn't the stadium where the Alex are currently enduring their longest winless run at? No, that honour goes to Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium. The Alex have not tasted victory there since February 1995. Props to anyone who even remembers that game. I couldn't even find the scorers from that day, so long ago was it.

Now, to be fair, there was a 21 year gap between visits, as following that 1995 win they didn't visit again until 2016. But still, it would be great if the Alex could win a game at this ground this century, especially given it's been going on for 25 years now. Here is my preview of their visit to the city with the 4th best university in the country:

Similar Opponents

Cambridge in a lot of ways are similar to Oldham. Low scoring, low conceding. They are 20th in xG created and 20th in shots on target per game. That has resulted in just 18 goals scored, the 17th lowest in the division. But at the other end, they have the lowest xG against at just 15.2 and have conceded 15, the 2nd fewest. Like Oldham, they are not a team that will burn you for pace or skill, but will grind you down and look to pounce on mistakes.

Similar Issues

I mentioned it before Oldham and I'll mention it again now, but the Alex's goalscoring issues on the road are becoming an increasing concern. They have now scored just 3 goals in their last 6 games and whilst their attacking display was much better at Oldham, they still only tested the keeper twice and put 13 other shots either off target, off the post or off other players. In fact, across their last 6 away games, they are averaging 2.33 shots on target per game.

And if they could have picked an opponent to solve those issues against, Cambridge would be bottom of the list for reasons listed above. But if they solve those attacking problems in this game, it would be a huge boost to their confidence.

Travel Sickness

The Alex also seem to have an problem with travelling longer distances for away games this season. They've played 8 games away from home and in the 4 shorter ones, all of which clocked in at around 200 miles or less there and back, they are 3-1-0(Oldham, Salford, Fleetwood and Harrogate). In the 4 longer ones, all of which were 250 miles or longer, they are 0-1-3(Colchester, MK Dons, Gillingham and Barrow).

Cambridge safely ranges in the latter camp. Is the above just a coincidence or do the Alex have a problem with longer away days?

Before the Break

The Alex are about to enter their own little international break. After this game, their first team(forget Stockport in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday) don't play again until December 10th against Newport, a whole 11 days later. I don't know what the fitness and stamina levels are like in the camp currently, but the majority should be able to leave it all out there for this game knowing they have an extended break coming up, whilst Cambridge have an FA Cup game next weekend to worry about. It might not be too much of a factor, but then again it could be.

Consistency

I asked for them to start showing some consistency heading into November after 3 very up and down months from August through to October. They've gone some way towards doing that, going unbeaten in 3 league games so far. Their current unbeaten stretch stands at 4 and another here would make it their longest unbeaten run since January.

Going into traditionally been their toughest month of the last 3 seasons, December, with a growing feel of confidence and a 5 game unbeaten stretch you feel is important for them. Let's hope they can do it.

Ref Watch

Martin Woods

Woods is back for his 2nd Alex game of the season, after doing the home game against the Liverpool U21s in the Vertu Trophy. He's another ref that has never stood out to me as a bad one, but the Alex's record is dismal when he refs, so here's hoping that will change.

2025-26 Record: 14 games(7 League One, 4 League Two, 1 EFL Trophy, 1 National League, 1 FA Cup), 58 yellows

Last Game: Grimsby Town 0-1 Chesterfield, 15th November 2025, EFL League Two, 5 yellows, 1 red

Crewe Alex Record: 1-1-5, 14 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Cambridge

The Us are without strikers Kylian Kouassi and Shayne Lavery, both of whom are out with hamstring injuries. Dom Ball and Shane McLoughlin have also been absent in recent weeks, so they will be lacking depth in a couple of areas.

Crewe Alex

Kenny Lunt ran the party line of being incredibly obtuse about who, if anyone, would be back for this game in the pre-match press conference. It could be 1 or 2, it could be none of them. So for now we'll go with the worst case scenario and say the Alex will be without Mickey Demetriou, Josh March, Omar Bogle, Jack Lankester and Jack Powell from their short term injury list.

Team

I don't see there being many changes, if any, for this game. As last week, it's all about who will make the bench or not. They are battling for a play off spot with a core of 12 players who account for 87% of their starts so far. They'll need to start rotating and using their squad depth more, so having a few more options available soon will important.

But for now, it appears like they'll be thin on the ground for bench options once again.

Score Prediction

Another tough one to predict. Cambridge are good at home and are only one point behind the Alex, so clearly aren't a terrible team. They are defensively sound and do have threats, but the Alex's attack is in mostly good form and will bring confidence into this one. Maybe it's slightly pessimistic, but I'd probably take another draw if offered.

Cambridge United 1-1 Crewe Alexandra