On Sky
Crewe face Huddersfield on Saturday lunchtime looking for their third consecutive win. With 7 goals in the last two games, confidence is high in the camp as they bid to earn the first home win of the season. Huddersfield have made a good start to the season and currently occupy 7th place, but are yet to win away from home this season.
Crewe Team News:
Crewe boss Dario Gradi will be forced into making changes for tomorrow’s game as David Vaughan is away on international duty. His place in the side will go to Rodney Jack, who makes his first start for the club since leaving for Rushden and Diamonds in 2003. Elsewhere, Darran Kempson, Danny O’Donnell, Ben Rix and Michael Higdon are all doubts, though none of the quartet had been expected to start the game. Meanwhile, Lee Bell, Tony Grant and Darren Moss remain out injured.
Crewe team: Williams, Otsemobor, Cox, Baudet, Billy Jones, Lowe, Gary Roberts, O’Connor, Jack, Maynard, Varney
Player to watch: Nicky Maynard
The 19-year old has bagged 3 goals in his last two games, and boasts a highly impressive scoring record having scored 5 goals in his 3 starts and 4 substitute appearances.
Huddersfield Team News:
Adnan Ahmed, Jonathan Worthington and Chris Brandon are expected to miss tomorrow’s game through injury, though Huddersfield have a plethora of attacking options remaining to choose from.
Player to watch: Luke Beckett
The small striker is prolific in this league, and has bagged 4 goals already this season.
Match Facts & Stats
Recent Meetings:
2003/03 Crewe 1-0 Huddersfield
2002/03 Huddersfield 1-1 Crewe
2000/01 Huddersfield 3-1 Crewe
2000/01 Crewe 1-0 Huddersfield
Head to Head: There have been 28 meetings between the sides, with Huddersfield boasting a favourable record. Crewe have won just 6 of the meetings, lost 13 and drawn 9.
Huddersfield’s Top Goalscorer: Beckett + Taylor-Fletcher – 3
Huddersfield’s Leading Assistsman: Hudson, Schofield, Adams + Taylor-Fletcher – 1
Crewe’s Top Goalscorer: Nicky Maynard – 4
Crewe’s Leading Assistsman: Luke Varney – 2
Nicky Maynard has had 14 shots – the most of any Crewe player. An impressive 10 of those shots were on target.
Crewe have begun the season in typical fashion in terms of discipline, and are second in the League One Fair Play League. Cheltenham are top, with both sides having conceded 43 fouls, whilst Crewe have received 2 yellow cards whereas Cheltenham have received 7. However, Crewe have conceded 1 penalty, which is deemed to be a greater offense than 5 yellow cards.
Ref Watch:
S J Tanner…no Jarnail Singh this week unfortunately. Due to the internationals, Jarnail is having a rest this weekend.
Match Prediction:
Crewe 2-2 Huddersfield