Barrow vs Crewe Alexandra Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

After missing out on Play-off football narrowly last season, Barrow are likely to start their season with a statement with a win over a Crewe side who did manage Play-off football last season.

Although Crewe have the upperhand historically in this fixture, Barrow have won three of the last five meetings. This clash is big for the BTTS market as both games between the two last season had both teams on the scoresheet.

A player to watch in this clash will be Kian Spence. Last season Spence picked up 15 goals for Barrow and averaged 0.7 shots on target per game, he’s in the market for a potential goal or 2+ shots on target.

On the other hand, look out for Conor Thomas for the potential for a yellow card or for 2+ fouls - the Crewe Alexandra midfielder averaged 1.4 per game last season.

Barrow 2 - 1 Crewe Alexandra.

Barrow host Crewe Alexandra at Holker Street this Saturday in their first game of the 2024/25 League Two season. Both sides had a good run out last season but will be looking to go that one step further.

Date: 10/08/2024

Kickoff time: 15:00

Location: Holker Street

Crewe managed to reach the Play-offs last season and Barrow only barely missed out, so both sides will be looking to start their season strong against a top side.

Barrow finished eighth in League Two last season. In 46 games, Barrow picked up 18 wins, 15 draws and 13 losses which left them on 69 points, just one point shy of Play-off football.

Stephen Clemence has overseen the free signings of the likes of Connor Mahoney, Theo Vassell, Sam Barnes and Katia Kouyate. He has also brought in Andy Dallas and Neo Eccleston on loan.

Crewe Alexandra finished sixth in League Two last season. In 46 games, Crewe picked up 19 wins, 14 draws and 13 losses which left them on 71 points, and two points within the Play-offs.

Lee Bell has brought in the likes of Omar Bogle from Newport County and Kane Hemmings from Stevenage on free transfers. As for loanees, the likes of Filip Marschall from Aston Villa and Jamie Knight-Lebel from Bristol City have joined Crewe.

This will be the 90th meeting between Barrow and Crewe, with the first meeting coming back in 1921. Crewe have the better record in the fixture with 46 wins in comparison to Barrow’s 28 wins, with the other 15 games ending in a draw.

The last five games in this fixture have seen three wins for Crewe and two wins for Barrow. This fixture is somewhat high scoring, with four of the last five games having at least three goals.

Barrow vs Crewe Alexandra will be shown on Sky Sports+ this weekend in the UK.

Barrow Team News

Clemence is likely to call upon those who featured in the last game of preseason. Rory Feely, Spence and Emile Acquah are all likely to be on the team sheet on Saturday.

Crewe Alexandra Team News

Bell will likely continue with those who started the final preseason game including the likes of Mickey Demetriou, Kane Hemmings and Max Sanders who played the full 90 minutes against Blackpool.

In their last five games in preseason, Barrow have two wins, one draw and two losses.

In mid July, Barrow took on FC United. Gerard Garner opened the scoring early on in the fourth minute and doubled the lead himself before halftime. In the second half, Acquah scored late on to give Barrow the 3 - 0 win.

The next time out saw Barrow take on Scottish side Kilmarnock. Joe Wright’s goal gave Kilmarnock the lead at halftime and a pair of penalties from Daniel Armstrong along with goals from Marley Watkins and Fraser Murray gave Kilmarnock the 5 - 0 win.

It was another international team for Barrow as they took on R Union from Spain. Connor Mahoney gave Barrow the lead just before the half hour mark but Javi Dominguez equalised for R Union just four minutes later to make it level at halftime. Feely regained the lead for Barrow but a goal from Ivan Ayllon rescued a 2 - 2 draw for R Union.

Owen Evans scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute to give Flyde the 1 - 0 win over Barrow.

The last time out for Barrow was against Wigan. Acquah scored the only goal of the game in the 68th minute to give Barrow the 1 - 0 win over Wigan.

In their last five preseason games, Crewe have two wins and three losses.

Crewe’s first preseason game was against Newcastle Town. After a goalless first half, Joel Tabiner, Hemmings and Sanders all scored and Jack Lankester grabbed a brace in a 5 - 0 win.

The next time out for Crewe was against Stafford. Lankester and Lewis Billington both scored to give Crewe the 2 - 0 lead at halftime. Conor Thomas added another early in the second half before Dan Cockerline got Stafford on the scoresheet. However a goal from Shilow Tracey gave Crewe the 4 - 1 win.

A visit from Spanish side Mallorca saw another goalless first half. Toni Lato and Marc Domenech both scored in a two minute period just before the hour mark to give Mallorca the lead. Lucas Sant got Crewe on the scoresheet but a goal from Vedat Muriqi gave Mallorca the 3 - 1 win.

Sanders opened the scoring for Crewe in the second minute to give Crewe the 1 - 0 lead at halftime. However, a brace from Andre Vidigal gave Stoke the 2 - 1 win.

The most recent outing for Crewe was against Blackpool. Kyle Joseph and Jordan Rhodes both scored in the first half to give Blackpool the 2 - 0 win.

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