Crewe v Portsmouth: team news, predicted XIs, referee, key stats, form guides

The Brewers loss put an end to new head coach Danny Cowley’s 100-per-cent win record and put a dent in the Blues’ play-off hopes.

It also contributed to a growing Pompey injury list, with Lee Brown picking up a hamstring injury. News also emerged after the final whistle that Michael Jacobs would miss the rest of the season.

They’re obstacles the Cowleys will have to overcome.

As is the challenge posed by Crewe’s 6-0 loss to Oxford last time out.

It’s a scoreline tonight’s hosts will be determined to get out of their system and put right, with the Blues their first opponents since.

Once again it promises to be a intriguing battle.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of kick-off (6pm).

Crewe team news

David Artell has admitted it would be easy to ring the changes following his side’s 6-0 hammering by Oxford on Saturday.

But the Crewe boss said he would put emotions to one side and pick the team he sees best fit to compete against Pompey.

He told the club website: ‘You have take Saturday into consideration when picking the team.

‘You also have to consider the opponent and how to expose them and stop them.

‘You have to take emotion out of it and pick those who deserve an opportunity.

‘It is important not to leave players out because they have had a poor game. You want them to give you a reaction after what happened against Oxford.

“You just can’t decide to leave a number of players out because they were off it on Saturday. That is very binary and football doesn’t work like that.’

Predicted line-up

Will Jaaskelainen, Harry Pickering, Olly Lancashire, Omar Beckles, Luke Offord, Ryan Wintle, Charlie Kirk, Antony Evans, Tom Lowery, Mikael Mandron, Owen Dale. Subs: Dave Richards, Donervon Daniels, Luke Murphy, Stephen Walker, Nathan Wood, Chris Porter, Callum Ainley.

Pompey team news

John Marquis is a doubt for the trip to Crewe.

The Blues’ stop scorer has completed the three-match ban he was dealt for a red card against Shrewsbury last month.

But his involvement in tonight’s game against Alexandra is being reviewed, with the striker receiving injections to help with an ankle problem he has picked up.

Pompey are expected to leave it late before deciding what to do.

They are already without fellow front men Ellis Harrison and Jordy Hiwula to long-term injuries, while winger Michael Jacobs requires surgery on his knee.

Defender Lee Brown will also be absent after he picked up a hamstring injury against Burton on Saturday. Charlie Daniels is set to deputise.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, Callum Johnson, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Charlie Daniels, Marcus Harness, Ben Close, Tom Naylor, Ryan Williams, Andy Cannon, Ronan Curtis. Subs: Lewis Ward, James Bolton, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Haji Mnoga, George Byers, Harvey White, Alfie Stanley.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Crewe: 21/10

1-0 8/1, 2-0 14/1, 2-1 10/1, 3-0 33/1, 3-1 22/1, 3-2 33/1

Pompey: 5/4

1-0 13/2, 2-0 10/1, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 20/1, 3-1 18/1, 3-2 28/1

Draw: 5/2

0-0 9/1, 1-1 11/2, 2-2 14/1, 3-3 50/1

Referee

Darren Drysdale

Crewe stats

League position: 15th

Top scorer: Mikael Mandon (12)

Top assists: Charle Kirk (9)

Most appearances: Ryan Wintle (44)

Pompey stats

League position: 5th

Top scorer: John Marquis (16)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (10)

Most appearances: Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett (46)

Form guide (all competitions)

Pompey: P50 W25 D7 L18

Past five games

L 2-1 Burton (H) – League One

W 1-0 Wigan (A) – League One

W 2-1 Rochdale (H) – League One

W 2-1 Shrewsbury (A) – League One

W 2-1 Ipswich (H) – League One

Crewe: P46 W18 D11 L17

Past five games

L 6-0 Oxford United (H) – League One

W 2-0 MK Dons (A) – League One

L 2-1 Hull (H) – League One

W 1-0 Northampton (A) – League One

L 3-0 Burton (H) – League One

Other fixtures

Tonight (all 7pm kick-offs unless stated)

AFC Wimbledon v Ipswich Town (6.30pm), Blackpool v Accrington Stanley, Doncaster Rovers v Burton Albion, Lincoln City v MK Dons, Oxford United v Shrewsbury Town, Rochdale v Swindon Town, Wigan Athletic v Sunderland (6pm).