Burton Albion vs Crewe Alexandra: Preview, Predictions, Team News, Lineups

On Tuesday evening, Burton Albion will clash with Crewe Alexandra in a pivotal EFL Trophy match. Both teams are vying for a crucial victory to secure their places in the knockouts. Crewe currently leads Northern Section Group H with a perfect record, while Burton sits in second place, needing a win to advance.

Match Preview

Burton Albion is showcasing strong form, remaining unbeaten in their last four matches across all competitions. They achieved a notable 2-1 victory against Bradford City on Saturday. Bradford is a top contender for promotion from League One, making Burton’s win a significant upset.

In their EFL Trophy campaign, Burton Albion recorded a home victory over Liverpool Under-21s (2-0) but faced a setback with a 1-0 loss to Chesterfield. Overall, Burton has tallied four wins, one draw, and one loss since their defeat to Chesterfield, indicating a strong recovery.

Crewe Alexandra, on the other hand, has had mixed results lately. Since the beginning of October, they have secured four wins and experienced three defeats. In the EFL Trophy, Crewe has been exceptional, defeating Chesterfield 7-1 and Liverpool Under-21s 2-0. Their recent League Two performance includes a 3-1 win against Shrewsbury Town, ending Shrewsbury’s five-match unbeaten streak.

Current Form

• Burton Albion EFL Trophy Form: WL
• Burton Albion Form (All Competitions): WLWWDW
• Crewe Alexandra EFL Trophy Form: WW
• Crewe Alexandra Form (All Competitions): LWLWLW

Team News

Both teams might alter their lineups after Saturday’s matches. Burton will welcome the return of forward Julian Larsson, who participated against Bradford for the first time since September due to injury. Other players, including Terence Vancooten and Jack Hazlehurst, are nearing their returns, but Finn Delap is unavailable due to a knee injury.

For Crewe Alexandra, midfielder Joel Tabiner is ruled out with a serious knee injury sustained during pre-season. Additionally, winger Shilow Tracey is recovering from a broken leg, and both Josh March and Jack Powell have been absent in recent weeks.

Predicted Lineups

Burton Albion Possible Starting XI:

• Dudek
• Sibbick
• Godwin-Malife
• Hartridge
• Akoto
• Lofthouse
• Evans
• Webster
• Taroni
• Larsson
• Tavares

Crewe Alexandra Possible Starting XI:

• Waller
• Dancey
• Croker
• Connolly
• Finney
• Holicek
• Agius
• Armstrong
• Moore
• Moult
• Tezgel

Match Prediction

Burton Albion appears to have the upper hand against Crewe Alexandra, given their current form. Although Crewe remains unbeaten in the EFL Trophy, the home advantage for Burton enhances their prospects. A close match is anticipated, with a predicted score of Burton Albion 2, Crewe Alexandra 1.