Notts County v Crewe Alex 24/25 Preview - Chasing

Well, for the first time since the middle of February, the Alex find themselves on the outside of the play-offs looking in. 2 wins from their last 11 games will make maintaining a top 7 spot tough and they are now the team doing the chasing. The last time they found themselves in this spot after their defeats to Newport and Wimbledon, they hit back with 2 wins and a draw. They'll need a similar response this time around, otherwise their promotion hopes will go up in smoke. Here is my preview of their visit to Meadow Lane:

Under Pressure

No, not Lee Bell or the Alex. This time it's Stuart Maynard and the Notts County team. There are growing grumbles from the stands at Meadow Lane about the style Maynard plays and it's effectiveness. Whilst they are still 5th, they've won just 2 of their last 8 games, including just 1 of their last 4 at home, that being a narrow 2-1 win against struggling Tranmere. I'd say the Alex are going there at a good time.

If the Alex can replicate what they did at Chesterfield, where they took the big home crowd out of it early with an early goal and force Notts to chase it, then they could be on for another good away day as the home crowd could quickly turn toxic.

Good Record

The Alex often find it tough to play long ball and physical teams. Well, this time they are facing one of the few that pride themselves on their passing. Questions do need to be asked over whether that style of football can get you out of this division, but that's what the Magpies pride themselves on.

And it's also a style the Alex usually enjoy themselves against, given they've won their last 3 against this new look Notts side, by a 6-1 margin as well. They'll be hoping their good run continues into a 4th game.

Early Start

Yes, we've had a few early games this season, this being their 5th in fact. But it is only their 2nd away from home and it's a slightly awkward one. Carlisle was a long enough distance that they were always going to do an overnight stay. But Meadow Lane is 70 miles away and whilst the journey is only 90 minutes, roughly, they will still have to adjust their travel plans and preparation.

Conditions

It sounds crazy, but the Alex have for the most part managed to avoid playing in tough conditions. Sure, there have been a few, Bradford for example being played in gale force conditions. But it's been a while since they've played in what looks to be heavy rain, which is what is forecast for this game. It could be a leveller.

Ref Watch

Martin Woods

The Alex get Woods for the 3rd time this season, after he took charge of their 2 EFL Trophy games against Blackpool and Wrexham. This will be his 6th time reffing an Alex game and the previous 5 have all been defeats. So I hope the law of averages say they are due.

2024/25 Record: 26 games(9 League One, 9 League Two, 2 National League, 1 FA Cup, 5 EFL Trophy), 85 yellows, 4 reds

Last Game: Carlisle United 1-2 AFC Wimbledon, 15th March 2025, EFL League Two, 3 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 0-0-5, 10 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Notts County

Notts have been suffering all season in forward areas and this game will be no different. Alesana Jatta is off with the Gambia on international duty, which means the Alex will once again avoid playing him, as he was away for the exact same reason for the reverse fixture. In additional to him, there are question marks over the fitness of forwards Jodi Jones and Maï Traoré. Other potential/confirmed absences are Rod McDonald, Sam Austin, Lucas Ness and Scott Robertson.

Crewe Alex

The Alex will be missing 3 players to international duty in Callum Agius, Zac Williams and Jamie Knight-Lebel. It'll leave them light at the back, where they'll be hoping the knock that forced O'Riordan off last week isn't too serious and for a return of Mickey Demetriou and maybe even James Connolly, although I'm less bothered by him.

Team

Even if O'Riordan and declared fit and Demetriou also returns, neither player is likely to be at 100%. Does that affect Bell's planning formation wise? He'll likely be desperate to keep playing the back 5, as he prefers that system against teams who dominate the ball as Notts like to do. He has limited options, even if Demetriou and O'Riordan are fit to play. The only obvious choice would be to move Billington to RCB, put O'Riordan in the middle and have Demetriou on the left. Conway and Cooney would start in the wing back spots.

In midfield, he'll likely want Thomas and Lowery again, which I wouldn't do. I'd prefer Powell or Sanders to Thomas personally, but I doubt that happens. Then in the forward 3 positions, I can't see them altering from the front 3 of Holicek, Hemmings and Tabiner, which I'm fine with.

Score Prediction

I hedged my bets against Chesterfield and predicted a draw, only for them to pinch it. I thought they were going to pinch it against Salford and they drew. So, by that logic, I'm going to predict another draw in the hope that they will once again manage to sneak a win.

Notts County 1-1 Crewe Alexandra