Chesterfield v Crewe Alex 25-26 Preview - What Could have Been

I know there are far bigger talking points, but once again, the fixture gods have been smiling on the Alex a little bit by scheduling this game for the end of the season. A full house in a decent stadium, a nice drive over the Pennines if you are intending to travel that route to the game, beautiful weather. It could be a lot worse, regardless of the fact the game has nothing on the line for the Alex. Here is my preview of the final away game of the 25-26 season for them:

What Could have Been

It's a real shame the Alex couldn't have kept themselves in closer contention. Game 45 being a direct shootout between 2 teams for the final play-off spot could have been something special, regardless of who came out on top. Alas, the Alex are now playing for pride and playing spoiler, trying to deny Chesterfield a spot in the top 7. That's the biggest regret of all for me.

Nerves

This game is really interesting given Chesterfield's situation. Grimsby's win on Tuesday means the Spireites are now on the outside of the top 7 looking in. They will still feel the situation is in their own hands mind, given Grimsby play Swindon in the early kick off today and they themselves travel to Swindon on the final day.

Any sort of result in the game at Blundell Park does them a favour. A win for Grimsby might put the Mariners clear, but it'll reel Swindon right back in. A draw is their best outcome, whilst a Swindon win puts the Robins clear but the Mariners would be within striking distance.

However, all that still rests on them winning this game. A draw/loss means the Swindon game becomes a must win for them. They will want to avoid that, so they will be going all out to win this game. That however comes with a fair amount of nerves and expectation.

Yikes

Hearing Bell reveal the full set of injuries the Alex are currently playing through is alarming. And wondering what sort of squad we can expect to see for this game is a tricky one. The list of players who's seasons are finished now reads as following:

Joel Tabiner

Owen Lunt

Calum Agius

Max Sanders

James Connolly will be available for this game, then have season ending surgery on Sunday. Matus Holicek and Tommi O'Reilly are nursing issues. We know that Billington, Demetriou, Powell, Thomas and March are all battling problems. Hearing the Alex's various health issues laid out in full detail is alarming, but hardly surprising.

Does it Matter?

The above brings me then to the genuine question: Can we take anything from this game? If the battered, half injured Alex squad, with nothing to play for, get hammered as expected, does that reflect on Bell, his management team or the players? No, I don't think it does. I certainly won't be reading anything into it.

Yes, if they go and perform well and even pull off the shock of shocks and get a result, then I'll take the positives for sure. But I think Alex fans best prepare themselves for a long afternoon and a heavy defeat.

Ref Watch

James Bell

Bell has been fairly quiet this season. Just 16 games is strange given last season he did 33. His Alex record isn't great, having taken charge of their defeats by Hull, Charlton and Bolton between 2020 and 2021. Maybe the Alex are due a result with him reffing a game?

2025-26 Record: 16 games(11 Championship, 2 League One, 1 League Two, 1 League Cup), 59 yellows, 0 reds,

Last Game: Leyton Orient 0-2 Rotherham United, EFL League One, Saturday 18th April 2026, 4 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 0-0-3, 8 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Chesterfield

The home side have been given a boost in that Kyle McFadzean's red card from last week was overturned, so he is available. They are also expecting John Fleck and Will Grigg back in the squad, so they'll have more options than previously thought.

Crewe Alex

As listed above, several players are done for these last 2 games. A few more probably should be done, but will likely play, even when they shouldn't.

Team

I started off the week by wanting to see some kids play. I then swerved to wanting to see a full strength squad. Now I'm back to wanting to see the fringe players start and take your chances. Let's start at the back and go through who we know will be available and who will likely start. Lawlor goes again in goal. Tom Booth's red card on Tuesday shouldn't affect him, so he's on the bench.

In defence, I'm betting Bell goes with a back 3/5 to try and stifle Chesterfield, given he went with a 4 in the home game and they went 2-0 down in quick order. So I'm thinking it'll be Billington, Connolly, Demetriou, Pond and Hutchinson from right to left.

In midfield it'll be Thomas and Powell. A hilarious lack of mobility, but what can you do? Up front you will then have March left, O'Reilly right and Tezgel up top. It sounds brutal, but if O'Reilly wants to play, play him. He won't be here next season. Holicek on the other hand should sit and get whatever has been bothering him all season resolved. Do not risk him in a meaningless game.

On the bench you have options. Not many of them are good, but you have options. Booth, Dancey, Finney, Moore, Bogle, Tracey, Thibaut, Rankine, Moult. So I'm sorry, but all this 'small squad' narrative goes out the window. 8 contracted players injured and I still count 20 available options, not even including Fin Roberts and Phil Croker, who remain on loan at Chester. How many other sides can say that?

Score Prediction

Chesterfield in do or die mode. The Alex banged up with nothing to play for. This should be a mauling. However, I wonder if the nerves are getting to Chesterfield? Even with all their absences, the team I named above still is capable of getting a result I think. I'm hoping for a competitive performance, but I'm expecting a fairly routine home win. Maybe not by as much as people think, but a couple of goal margin I'd imagine.

Chesterfield 2-0 Crewe Alexandra