Crewe Alex v Swindon Town 25-26 Preview - Sky Again Ole Ole

I don't know how it happens, but I love when the fixture computers and the TV planners throw up odd little coincidences. Like this one. Last season, they played Swindon at home in late August and the game was moved to a 12:30pm to be shown on Sky. 12 months and a week later and its happened again, as they play Swindon in late August and the game has been moved to a 12:30pm to accommodate Sky. Lovely. Here is my preview of the Alex's final game of the month:

Entertaining

Say what you like about Ian Holloway and how most of the time, he becomes the main event with his wacky antics and borderline unhinged press conferences. But you can't deny that he's entertaining, on and off the field. When he's not drawing headlines, he's putting out sides that are open and expansive, which in a league where so many managers are the polar opposite is to be admired.

He's been in charge of Swindon for 38 league games now and there have been 117 goals in those games. Last week's win against Shrewsbury sums his sides up in a nutshell. Concede in the 90th minute to seemingly draw, then pull out a 93rd minute winner. He and his teams are often box office, even if sometimes you think he needs a straightjacket.

Different Test

Regardless of how strong they are in attack, the Robins will present a very different battle from the ones offered by Accrington and Crawley at Gresty Road. Not only are they far better than those teams, but they will come to play front foot football and will attack with a sense of purpose. We can admit that the first 2 home games, for the most part, were relatively comfortable wins against limited opponents. This game I think will be more of a battle and a real acid test for how far the Alex come at home after their struggles last season.

However, when we look at what caused the Alex's first league defeat last week against Gillingham, they came up against a side that were weak in attack, but strong in defence. Well, Swindon are the opposite, looking pretty decent going forward but suspect defensively, especially at set pieces. I suspect the Alex will get more opportunities than Gillingham allowed them and this should hopefully lead to more success in front of goal after drawing a blank at Priestfield.

Fast Start

If you were a betting person, you'd be wise to find a way to stick money on there being an early goal in this game. In 4 of the Alex's 5 games, there has been a goal within the first 30 minutes and in 2, there has been a goal inside the opening 10 minutes.

As for Swindon, they have either scored or conceded in the first 10 minutes in 4 of their first 5 games. Both teams seem to prioritise coming out of the blocks quickly, so expect a fast and furious start potentially.

History

The Alex haven't won their opening 3 home league games since 1995-96. However, after scouring back as far as I could, I don't believe they have ever won their first 3 home games whilst not conceding. Personally, I don't think that happens in this game, as I do believe Swindon will find a way to breach the Alex's defence. However, if the Alex could pull off a win and keep a clean sheet in the process, they would be potentially making history.

Bounce Back

We also now get to see how the first team respond to a defeat. Forget pre-season and forget the League Cup, how they bounce back from last week's sickening defeat will be telling. I'm sure it won't have knocked the confidence in the group too much, but at the same time, they could do with not losing 2 in a row, especially given they have tough games coming up in september against the always tricky Colchester and 3 improving sides in Barnet, Barrow and Notts County.

Lunchtime

Winning this game will be more complicated given it's a lunchtime kick off. The Alex struggled in those games all last season, home and away. In fact, they played 7 of them and went 1-5-1. Ok, that shows they were decent at not losing, but they lacked that killer instinct to win as well.

This is the first of 3 scheduled 12:30 home kicks off they have in the first half of the season, with Notts County in September and Shrewsbury in November also going ahead at lunchtime. They have to find a way to improve in the early kick offs and here seems like a good place to start.

End Strong

We are coming up to what will be the end of their joint busiest month of the season game wise. This is game 7 in league and cup and they won't play this many games in a month until January at the earliest. I'm sure those involved don't care too much, but a win here confirms them as ending August top of the league, barring Chesterfield going crazy and scoring 5 or more goals.

It likely confirms Lee Bell as a shoe in to win the manager of the month award and if Josh March can add a goal contribution, he'll be a strong contender for player of the month. Finishing August with 3 points and moving them on to 15 from 18 available would be a perfect way to move into the colder darker months of September and onwards.

Ref Watch

Matt Russell

Russell is in his 2nd season as an EFL ref after being promoted midway through last season. He has never done a Crewe game before, so I can't say I know anything about him. He does seem to keep his cards in his pocket, which means hopefully he turns out to be decent. Although given the general levels of officiating in the EFL, I doubt it.

2025-26 Record: 3 games(1 League One, 1 League Two, 1 EFL Cup), 5 yellows, 1 red

Last Game: Bromley 1-1 Ipswich Town, EFL Cup, 12th August 2025, 1 yellow

Crewe Alex Record: N/A

Injuries/Suspensions

Crewe Alex

Barring any unforeseen issues, the Alex should have no new absences and it will remain the same 5 players missing from the squad in Bogle, Tracey, Lankester, Tabiner and Holicek, although Holicek is imminent to a return and Lankester isn't far behind either.

Swindon Town

The Robins will be without Harry Smith as mentioned, but Ollie Palmer is arguably a better player as a replacement. Also absent is midfielder James Ball and potentially Ollie Clarke as well, who missed the last 2 games. They are hardly crippled, but they will be missing a couple of their better players.

Team

Do. Not. Overthink. It. Please Lee, I'm begging you to not throw the baby out with the bathwater and start ringing the changes. Keep the same system which has worked perfectly for 4 games and reasonably well in the 5th. However, I would suggest 1 change and that is bringing in Jack Powell for Conor Thomas.

The reason for this is, against big bruising teams like Gillingham, I get the temptation to go with Thomas. But against a somewhat faster and more technical team like Swindon, I think your ball players should be on the pitch. So that's Powell. But I know it'll be Thomas.

Score Prediction

This feels like a big game after the defeat last week. 1 defeat is fine, but 2 in a row and suddenly some of the doubt creeps in and the confidence slips. I think the Alex will get chances as Swindon aren't the best defensively, so hopefully they will pack their shooting boots and get the win here. I think it'll be tight, but they will get back to winning ways.

Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Swindon Town