Crewe Alexandra welcome Sunderland to the Alexandra Stadium as they go head-to-head in a League One clash

Crewe welcome Sunderland with both teams looking to strengthen their Play-Off hopes.

In what should be a tight affair, both Crewe and Sunderland will be hoping to be in and around the Play-Offs come the end of the season.

The Black Cats currently occupy a Play-Off place in fifth, but Crewe find themselves six points adrift having played more games than Doncaster who sit in the final Play-Off position.

Lee Johnson’s men could well strengthen their candidacy for an automatic spot should they get the win on and results also go their way.

Both teams will be looking to carry on their decent run of form as they approach the final stretch of the season.

Team news

David Artell is expected to name an unchanged team for the game, but Oliver Finney is still out after breaking his leg against Shrewsbury and not expected to return for another six to eight weeks.

Josh Scowen could return for Sunderland while Tom Flanagan is still out and not expected to return for another week.

Denver Hume could still feature before the end of the season but the Crewe game will be too soon.

Crewe manager David Artell spoke to the Crewe Alexandra website and the manager wishes the fans would be there for the visit of Sunderland.

“It will be a really good fixture anyway though with a club the size of Sunderland coming. It is disappointing not to have the fans in but we are also grateful that football has continued. The government realised that football is the national game and plays a part in the mental health of people.

“We are grateful that football has been allowed to carry on because no-one wants what has happened to the North and South in the National League recently.

“It isn’t the atmosphere we would have wanted but it is still a game to look forward to.”

Sunderland manager Lee Johnson had a lot of praise for his opponents as he spoke to the Sunderland website.

“Crewe are a fantastic club with a very reputable academy, and a good coach in David Artell, who has taken them up on an effectively low budget.

“I have a house in Nantwich, just around the corner, so I know a lot about Crewe and have always had big respect for what they’ve done as a club.

“I know a lot about their strengths – they’re very well run and the academy has done excellently, especially considering it’s quite easy to poach players at Under-16 level for Category One clubs.”

Head-to-head

In the reverse fixture, Sunderland ran out 1-0 winners at the Stadium of Light with an own goal from Crewe defender Luke Offord.

Crewe have only beaten Sunderland once in their last ten meetings, a record which Artell and his players will be hoping to change at the Alexandra Stadium.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt