Relegation battlers Northampton Town will entertain 15th placed Crewe Alexandra on Saturday afternoon. 

Both sides are struggling to maintain good runs of form with Northampton winning just two of their last 15 games and Crewe have won just once in their last five outings.

A win for the Cobblers could see them rise out of the relegation zone and three points for Crewe could move them into the top half of the table. 

• Team news

The only absentee for Jon Brady's Northampton is Scott Pollock, who is slowly returning back to full fitness after a long period on the sidelines. 

There are no other injury worries for the Cobblers and Brady has the same sqaud available to him as he did last time out against Doncaster Rovers

It's expected that Brady will opt for the same starting XI, however, Danny Rose could replace Leeds United loanee Ryan Edmondson in the number nine spot. 

David Artell has no fresh injury concerns for his Crewe side but is likely to make some changes after his side were thumped 3-0 last time out against Burton Albion.

Donervan Daniels could replace Rio Edebisi at right-back and Chris Porter may come in for Owen Dale up-front.

• Predicted lineups

Northampton Town (4-3-3):

Mitchell; Kioso, Horsfall, Jones, Mills; Watson, McWilliams, Sowerby; Miller, Rose, Hoskins.

Crewe Alexandra (4-4-2):

Richards; Daniels, Beckles, Wood, Pickering; Lowery, Murphy, Wintle, Kirk; Mandron, Porter.

• Ones to watch

Sam Hoskins - Northampton Town

Sam Hoskins is one of Northampton's most experienced players. The 28-year-old has notched three goals and six assists so far this season but his quality and versatility is what's important to Brady's side. 

The Englishman can play anywhere across the midfield as well as anywhere in the front line. He possesses a superb change of pace and his ability to create changes in the final third is excellent. 

So far this season, he has made 35 key passes and created 41 chances. His eye for picking and executing a pass is key in Northampton's attacking play and if they are to do well on Saturday, he is likely to be at the heart of it. 

He is certianly a player Crewe need to keep an eye on. 

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Mikael Mandron - Crewe Alexandra

Mikael Mandron is Crewe's current top scorer this season with seven goals. He has also picked up four assists and is one of Artell's main forward threats.

The 26-year-old is an out and out number nine and can score all types of goals. Three of his seven have come with his right foot, three more have come with his left foot and he has headed the ball home once. 

All of his goals have come from inside the 18-yard box and he has been influential in Crewe's attacking play this season, creating 31 chances. 

The Northampton defenders need to keep tabs on the Scotsman because he has the ability to punish them given the opporutnity. 

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• Previous meetings 

Out of the last eight meetings between these two sides, Northampton have won four, Crewe have won two and there have been two draws.

When these two sides met earlier on in the season, Crewe won 2-1 with goals from Dale and Ryan Wintle cancelling out Ricky Holmes' early strike. 

The last time they met at the PTS Academy Stadium, Northampton won 4-1. 

Last time out:

• Where to watch

This game kicks off at 15:00 BST on Saturday 20 March 2021. 

For Cobblers fans, the game can be watched by purchasing a live video match pass which can be found in the iFollow section of their website.

The same process can be followed for Crewe fans with their iFollow being found here

Both are for a cost of £10.