Prediction: Crewe vs Harrogate

Verdict: Crewe win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Turning their attention back to EFL Trophy action on Tuesday night, Crewe will welcome Harrogate to Gresty Road.

Crewe

Starting with the hosts, while Crewe might have suffered play-off final heartbreak at Wembley back on May 19th as they fell to a 2-0 loss against Crawley, Lee Bell’s men haven’t shown any signs of a hangover this time around. Making an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend as they secured an eye-catching 2-0 victory against Gillingham, the Alex have their sights firmly set on snatching another top-six finish this season. Getting their EFL Trophy adventure underway with a thumping performance on August 27th as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp against Liverpool’s U21s, Crewe have continued on a real flurry. Landing a thumping 3-0 victory when they welcomed Harrogate to Gresty Road last month, Tuesday’s hosts have collected 15 points from their previous six League Two appearances.

Team News

Missing out against Gillingham over the weekend, Crewe will once again be without the services of one-time Rangers strikers Kane Hemmings on Tuesday night. Likewise, not making a single appearance over the past month, former Portsmouth attacker Omar Bogle remains on the sidelines.

Bagging a brace at home against Gillingham on Saturday afternoon, Shilow Tracey will be hoping to keep his spot leading the line here. Arriving from Aston Villa this summer on a season-long loan deal, Polish shot-stopper Filip Marschall will start between the sticks in midweek.

Harrogate

As for the visitors, although some in Harrogate’s camp might have opened up the new campaign dreaming of the chance to mount a top-half charge, Simon Weaver’s men have struggled to find any real stability. Opening October with a nightmare display on home soil as they fell to a 5-1 drumming at the hands of MK Dons, the Yorkshire-based outfit already find themselves almost sat in fourth-tier limbo. Registering just two wins from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes, Weave’s side have also shown some real attack issues away from Wetherby Road. Hit with that 3-0 drumming when they travelled to Cheshire on September 21st and winless in each of their five historic meetings against Tuesday’s hosts, Harrogate should have another stern challenge on their hands here.

Team News

In what was announced as a huge blow last week, Harrogate confirmed that Liam Gibson has sustained long-term hamstring injury and is not expected to feature for the remainder of this calendar year. Settling for a spot on the bench over the weekend, skipper Josh Falkingham could be handed a full recall.

While veteran striker Jack Muldoon might still be waiting to open his League Two account this season, the 35-year-old should keep his spot leading the line. Arriving from Burton over the summer, Jasper Moon will start at the heart of Harrogate’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Crewe and Harrogate last met on September 21st, Tuesday’s hosts collected a thumping 3-0 victory at Gresty Road.
• Crewe are unbeaten in each of their five historic showdowns against Harrogate.
• The Alex have collected 15 points from just their previous six League Two appearances.
• The midweek guests have won just a pair of their last nine appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
• Harrogate have failed to register a single goal from any of their previous three consecutive matchups outside of Yorkshire.

Conclusion

Laying down another marker over the weekend as they secured a rugged 2-0 victory against Gillingham, Crewe find themselves in the midst of what has become quite the purple patch. Mustering 15 points from just their previous six League Two appearances, Tuesday’s hosts will be smelling a golden opportunity here. Landing a thumping 3-0 romp when they welcomed Harrogate to town last month, we are backing a similar home win in midweek.

Verdict: Crewe win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet