Swindon Town v Crewe Alex 25-26 Preview - Clear

Last season was not full of many fond memories for Crewe Alex. But their trip to Swindon was up there as one of the more memorable. Not for anything that happened on the pitch, as the 2 sides played out a dull 0-0 draw. No, more for the fog which descended just after kick off and which saw the game delayed for an hour before it lifted. Well, fingers crossed will avoid any weather related delays this time. Here is my preview of the Alex's trip to the County Ground:

Flying

They might be a circus off the pitch and their manager might be a total nutcase, but Swindon have once again assembled a decent team and are pushing for promotion back to L1. League Two top scorer Aaron Drinan will be the main man to focus on, but in Ollie Palmer, Tom Nichols, Ollie Clarke, Darren Oldaker, Gavin Kilkenny and Ryan Tafazolli, they have a strong experienced core.

Complimenting them is an exciting young crop in Tom Wilson-Brown, former Alex loanee Jamie Knight-Lebel, Aidan Borland, James Scanlon, Fletcher Holman and Joe Snowdon. They have a deep team, arguably the most talented in the whole division, and are pushing for the automatic promotion and maybe their 3rd L2 title in 14 years. They'll be one of the Alex's toughest opponents, especially after how comprehensively they won at Gresty Road back in August.

Easier(on paper)

On paper, this is the last incredibly tough opponent the Alex will face this season on the road. Yes, Chesterfield, Grimsby and Accrington all represent tricky games, but the fact is, Chesterfield have drawn 7 home games and Grimsby and Accrington are currently below them. At the very least, this is the last side who are automatic contention they'll face on the road. If they can snatch a result, it'll be massive for them heading into a make or break stretch where their next 7 opponents are currently below them.

Exhausted x 2

Lee Bell has made reference to the fact the Alex are exhausted after a gruelling run over the last couple of months. But let's flip it around and ask about Swindon's current energy levels. Since the turn of the year, they have played 12 games to the Alex's 10.

They have played on every Tuesday since mid-January thanks to frozen pitches and cup progression. It doesn't seem to have slowed them down, but is there a point where it catches up with them? Perhaps not. Or maybe it might be this game. Let's see.

Bullies

Maybe this is a point you can throw at most teams, but Swindon haven't been so good at beating the better teams at home this season. Sure, they beat Cambridge and Bromley, but that was early in the season when both sides were in mid-table and still figuring things out.

Since that Bromley win in late September, they've drawn against Notts County(5th), Colchester(12th) and Grimsby(10th), plus lost to Salford(7th). Their last 6 home wins have all been against mid-table sides or worse, of which the Alex are not one. There is no reason the Alex can't go there and spring a surprise.

Consistency

Building on the above point, whilst Swindon will be a tough opponent and the Alex's record there isn't great in the last 10-15 years, they have built a little bit of consistency on the road of late. 2 spirited and deserved draws against Bromley and Barnet were capped off by a scrappy 1-0 win at Crawley have put them to 3 unbeaten. They will need to play very well and hope to catch Swindon on an off day, but they can take some confidence into this game, even after Tuesday's defeat.

Ref Watch

Kirsty Dowle

This referee was the one Dean Brennan abused back in September to get his 9 game touchline ban. And more recently, she's copped more flak from Kevin Nolan after sending off one his Northampton players on Tuesday. So it's safe to say she's a bit of a lightning rod for criticism this season. Another ref promoted too soon?

2025-26 Record: 16 games(3 League One, 5 League Two, 5 National League, 3 EFL Trophy), 59 yellows, 2 reds

Last Game: Lincoln City 4-0 Northampton Town, EFL League One, 17th February 2026, 2 yellows, 1 red

Crewe Alex Record: N/A

Injuries/Absences

Swindon Town

I mentioned their talented group, but the Robins could be down a few players for this game. Paul Glatzel, Harry Smith, Tom Wilson-Brown, Ryan Tafazolli, Billy Bodin and Darren Oldaker were all out on Tuesday for a variety of reasons.

Crewe Alex

Owen Lunt is set for "an extended period out", which is not good news at all when they are desperate for midfield depth. Conor Thomas was injured and he is touch and go for this weekend, which means he won't be back. But Dicker did state that Sanders, Tezgel and Lankester could all make the Tranmere game next weekend. I hope he's correct, but I worry we'll see those timelines start to slip.

Team

Erm, yeah. I'm not sure what team you pick for this game given who's out and who isn't. I'd be fine with them switching formations at this point, even if Lunt and Thomas don't make it. At the back it'll be Demetriou, Connolly and Pond, with Hutchinson and Billington at wing back.

In midfield Holicek drops deeper alongside Powell. Not ideal in either sense, but what else can you do? Then further forward, I'm moving O'Reilly centrally and tucking him behind a front 2 of March and Thibaut. Agius drops to the bench.

Score Prediction

The Alex's away record isn't great against the top 7. 1-1-4 in fact. After Tuesday's disappointment, it would be nice if they could bounce back and get something here. But given Swindon's form, especially at home, I think the Alex are going to struggle and come up short in this one, probably by multiple goals if Swindon pack their shooting boots.

Swindon Town 2-0 Crewe Alexandra