Crewe are looking to start 2018 in a better fashion than they ended 2017 when they face Grimsby.
Dave Artell’s men find themselves at the wrong end of the SkyBet League Two table, sat in 20th with just 26 points this season.
Visitors Grimsby will be looking to push back up the table but they currently sit in 14th, six points away from the play-off spots.
Crewe suffered an indifferent festive period having beaten fellow strugglers Chesterfield, but heavy defeats to Swindon and Cambridge have seen Artell’s side slip back into trouble.
Alex were behind after just 34 seconds when former Barnsley man George Maris but the home side in front. David Amoo would double the lead before Crewe skipper Chris Dagnall gave the Railwaymen some hope before half time.
Uche Ikpeazu’s goal settled the tie and even though Cambridge were reduced to ten men in injury time, Crewe were unable to muster up any opportunities to get a point from the game.
Their visitors Grimsby will be looking to bounce back from a terrible home defeat to play-off chasing Accrington Stanley.
Goals from Billy Kee, Sean McConville and former Mariner Cayden Jackson saw Russell Slade’s men end 2017 with a 3-0 thumping.
Grimsby will be looking to complete a league double over their hosts at Gresty Road on New Years Day after beating the Railwaymen at Blundell Park.
Mitch Rose’s first half header was enough for Slade’s men to secured all three points that saw them keep in touch with the pack.
