Crewe Alex v Tranmere Rovers 25-26 Preview - Roles Reversed?

It's a tale as old as time. Crewe Alex never win at Prenton Park, Tranmere never win at Gresty Road. It's been an unbroken tradition for the last 25 years. Well, the Alex rudely forgot all about that when they went to the Wirral and won 4-1 back in December. Does that signal a shift in the fortunes for the away sides in this fixture going forward? Does that mean that Tranmere are about to end their hoodoo at the Alex, just as the Alex ended their hoodoo at Tranmere? I hope not. Here is my preview of the game:

Not Dr Crewe

The Alex always seem like the team that cure a teams poor form. Or give them a respite from it with a pick me up result. Well, for once I think the Alex actually caused a team's bad run. When the Alex went to Prenton Park in December, Tranmere were actually doing ok. They were unbeaten in 4, had won back to back games and were starting to look up the table, rather than down it.

Well, that 4-1 battering did some lasting damage it seems. Including that defeat, they have lost 11 of their last 14 league games. Whilst they are probably far away enough from the bottom 2 to not seriously worry about relegation, they do seem a lifeless club, drifting along without the means or ideas about how to get themselves back to their once former heights. I just hope that given the Alex started Tranmere's bad form, they aren't the one to end it, or provide a temporary respite from it, as they so often do.

Toxic

The Alex don't often face clubs in the middle of a crisis, or so it feels. But make no mistake about it, Tranmere are in one. Their poor form has led to a large amount of criticism directed at all elements of the club, but more specifically the manager and chairman/owner. Andy Crosby seemed to have them on an upward track at the end of last season, but he's now alongside Ian Dawes and Nigel Adkins in terms of results. Chairman/Owner Mark Palios is also under scrutiny, with a proposed takeover seemingly dragging on and on.

The fans aren't happy on the Wirral and should things turn against them in this game, then a few unhappy chants will emanate from the away end.

Impose yourself

In the last 4 home games the Alex have played, they've been dominated in various statistical categories. Some will say that's not important when you are winning games and I do agree. However, at the same time, at home is where you are supposed to impose your will and style on opponents and let them try to stop you, not the other way around. Don't get me wrong, I'll accept a win however it comes, but at the same time, I'd like to see them go out, play with confidence and put in a good all round performance.

Favourites

What might hold them back though is the fact that they are the favourites in this game. They trip up far too often in games against sides they are expected to beat. Newport, Bristol Rovers, Harrogate, even Fleetwood in their last home game. Then look at how they do against sides like Bromley, Barnet and Swindon in recent weeks. This is a game where they will be heavy favourites, no doubt about that. Hopefully they can respond to that and perform accordingly.

Scoreboard Watching

Winning this game would be huge for the Alex, not just for their own form and confidence, but for what it could do for them in terms of the standings. They play a struggling and toxic Tranmere. At the same time, a lot of the teams below them have tough games against each other, in form sides or teams in the top 5. Chesterfield(7th) travel to Barnet(9th), Salford(8th) travel to Colchester(11th), Walsall(10th) travel to inform Shrewsbury, Grimsby(12th) travel to Notts County(4th) and Accrington(13th) travel to Bromley(1st).

If, and it's a big if, they can take advantage of this moment, they could not only be in the play-offs heading into March, but securely in them as well. Especially when you realise a lot of the above mentioned teams are also in action on Tuesday against each other. There are still a lot of twists and turns left in this promotion race, but the Alex could give themselves a massive boost by picking up 3 points.

Ref Watch

Harrison Blair

Oh look, another brand new EFL ref who is taking charge of just his 2nd game at this level. I hope he can handle a big occasion between 2 local(ish) rivals.

2025-26 Record: 9 games(1 League Two, 8 National League), 34 yellows, 1 red

Last Game: MK Dons 1-0 Newport County, EFL League Two, Saturday 14th February 2026, 3 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: N/A

Injuries/Absences

Crewe Alex

After another obtuse injury update, we'll be waiting nervously for the team to be announced to see if Conor Thomas, Jack Lankester, Tommi O'Reilly and Matus Holicek are declared fit enough to be in the squad. Max Sanders and Emre Tezgel seem like they are another week or two away from returning and Owen Lunt remains a medium term absentee, whilst Shilow Tracey and Joel Tabiner are still long term absentees.

Tranmere Rovers

Rovers are missing popular attacker Connor Jennings, who is out with a serious knee injury. Both first choice keepers Luke McGee and Joe Murphy are injured, whilst Jordan Turnbull, Dylan Jones, Will Tamen and Billy Blacker have all been missing in recent weeks.

Team

Usually, I have an idea of what sort of team I'm naming immediately after the previous game. But this time, I've waited for the management's injury update, given how many players are bordering on the edge of fitness.

Even if Thomas and Lankester do return this weekend, I don't imagine either of them starting. I'm hoping Holicek is fit enough to start, but I think/hope that both the Alex and Aston Villa exercise extreme caution with Tommi O'Reilly and maybe give him this game off, or put him on the bench at most.

If the above is the case, then I think the Alex might have no choice but to stick with the same back 3 from last week. It won't be popular, but given the lack of midfielders and wingers available, what else can they do? Let's just hope that Lankester and Thomas can make the bench to give them a couple of options for the final 10 minutes.

Score Prediction

It has to be a win. Tranmere are a vulnerable and fragile club right now and a good start/early lead for the Alex could tip them into full toxicity. I'm hoping for a positive performance, clean sheet and a win by a couple of goals or more. However, I'll take a win however it comes, especially with a tricky trip to Bristol Rovers next up.

Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Tranmere Rovers