Wrexham hasn`t played in the second tier of English football since 1982, but they are now very close to promotion from League One. As the season nears its end, the Welsh club is in a strong position. However, their recent 2-2 draw against Cambridge United, a team fighting relegation, means their promotion fate isn`t entirely in their own hands. Their rivals missed an opportunity, giving Wrexham a chance to lead the promotion race.
Phil Parkinson`s Wrexham team is currently second in the league table with six games remaining. Birmingham City is leading the league and seems set for the Championship, sitting 11 points ahead of Wrexham with two games in hand. The battle for the second automatic promotion spot is tight.
Wycombe Wanderers, despite taking 30 shots against Shrewsbury Town (who are at the bottom of the table), only managed a draw. Charlton Athletic and Stockport County both gained points on Tuesday, making the promotion race even more exciting as it heads towards the final match on May 3rd.
League One Automatic Promotion Race
| Team | Pld. | W | D | L | GD | Pts. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 38 | 27 | 8 | 3 | 39 | 89 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 40 | 23 | 9 | 8 | 24 | 78 |
| 3 | Wycombe | 39 | 21 | 12 | 6 | 29 | 75 |
| 4 | Charlton | 40 | 21 | 9 | 10 | 19 | 72 |
| 5 | Stockport | 40 | 20 | 11 | 9 | 22 | 71 |
| 6 | Bolton | 39 | 19 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 63 |
The top two teams will be automatically promoted to the Championship. Teams finishing third to sixth will enter a playoff, with semifinals and a final at Wembley on May 25th.
Wrexham`s Upcoming Matches
- April 5: Burton Albion (Home)
- April 12: Wigan (Away)
- April 18: Bristol Rovers (Home)
- April 21: Blackpool (Away)
- April 26: Charlton (Home)
- May 3: Lincoln (Away)
What Wrexham Needs for Promotion
Wrexham`s promotion isn`t guaranteed. If Wycombe wins all their remaining seven games, Wrexham would need to match that to stay level on points. In that case, goal difference would decide who gets promoted, and Wycombe currently has a five-goal advantage and has scored more goals overall.
However, it`s unlikely Wycombe will win every game. Promotion might depend on key matches for both teams. Wrexham`s games against Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers should be winnable, considering the points difference. But, at this point in the season, playing against teams fighting relegation can be very challenging.
A crucial period for both Wrexham and Wycombe will be in late April when Charlton plays both teams within five days. If Charlton, currently in fourth, wins these games, they could significantly impact the promotion race and even enter the promotion mix themselves.
Wrexham`s Rapid Rise: A Historical Feat?
If Wrexham gets promoted this season, it would be their third promotion in three years. In the 2022-23 season, they returned to the English Football League after 15 years and immediately followed that with promotion from League Two as runners-up.
Other English teams have achieved three consecutive promotions. Truro City and Shaw Lane even managed four. But no team has risen so quickly through the higher levels of English football. For example, FC United of Manchester had three promotions after being formed in 2005, but they reached the Northern Premier League Premier Division, which is the seventh tier of English football.
Wrexham`s achievement would be more significant because they are aiming for the Championship, a much higher level. The National League, League Two, and League One are all professional leagues with strong competition. Wrexham, under the ownership of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has had the financial resources to compete at each level. This raises questions about their potential in the Championship.
Can Wrexham Compete in the Championship?
Looking ahead, could Wrexham even reach the Premier League? Back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League are rare, though Ipswich Town did it last season. Typically, only major clubs achieve this. While Wrexham has gained a global fanbase, the Championship is a very expensive league.
In League Two, Wrexham`s wage bill was over $14 million annually, and it has likely increased with the signings of players like Jay Rodriguez and Matty James. Despite their increased spending, Wrexham`s financial resources are still considerably less than the richest Championship clubs. Wrexham director Humprey Ker suggested their salary spending might need to quadruple to remain competitive after promotion.
Wrexham`s performance data also suggests challenges ahead. They have scored 56 goals from 48.1 expected goals (xG) and conceded 32 goals from 42.4 expected goals against (xG). While they are second in League One, their non-penalty xG difference ranks them ninth in the league.
This data might suggest that Wrexham`s promotion chances and their ability to survive in the Championship are uncertain. However, Wrexham has consistently risen to the occasion since 2020. If they do get promoted, expect significant investment to ensure they can stay and compete in the Championship.
