Wrexham and Charlton Athletic are set for a crucial League One clash this Saturday, with both sides still firmly in contention for automatic promotion to the Championship. Following Wycombe Wanderers` recent defeat against Leyton Orient, Wrexham now have the opportunity to secure promotion with a win on Saturday.
The Red Dragons are strongly positioned to achieve an impressive third consecutive promotion, continuing their rise through the English football pyramid. They currently sit second in the League One table with 86 points, with just two matches left in the season. However, Wrexham isn`t the only team vying for an automatic spot. Charlton, just four points behind in fourth place, face a must-win scenario to keep their hopes of a top-two finish alive.
Both teams are equally keen to avoid finishing in positions three through six, which would mean participating in the promotion playoffs. While promotion to the Championship is still possible via this route, it`s a more challenging path, culminating in the playoff final at Wembley Stadium in London on May 25.
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this significant match.
Match Details & Odds
- Location: Racecourse Ground — Wrexham, Wales
- Odds: Wrexham +125; Draw +220; Charlton +230
Last Encounter
The previous meeting between these teams in October was a back-and-forth affair that concluded in a 2-2 draw. Wrexham initially took the lead through an own goal from Conor Coventry in the 16th minute, but Charlton responded seven minutes later via Macaulay Gillesphey. Andy Cannon restored Wrexham`s lead in the 72nd minute, only for Matt Godden to convert a penalty in the 97th minute, ensuring the points were shared.
Wrexham`s Perspective
Promotion has been a prominent topic at Wrexham for several weeks now, and as they draw nearer to achieving it, the sense of anticipation has been palpable. A notable example was the recent win at Blackpool, where the club`s renowned co-owner, actor Rob McElhenney, joined the 2,000 traveling supporters to celebrate the crucial victory. He had also addressed the team the day prior, which was greatly appreciated by the players.
“I`ve always emphasized that this is a team effort,” stated manager Phil Parkinson after the Blackpool game. “Rob spent time with the players (on Sunday) and delivered a fantastic speech about his feelings in this situation. The players truly valued that. This highlights the togetherness that has brought us this far.”
Parkinson hopes this unity will be evident on Saturday, as Wrexham play at home with promotion potentially within reach.
“The support today was brilliant,” Parkinson commented. “I want to see the same, if not more, from the home supporters next week. Honestly, I want that place buzzing – these players deserve it. We`ve come a very long way this season. We`ve successfully competed against many big clubs in this division. We need everyone in the ground to create an incredible atmosphere and make the Racecourse bounce to fully support the team.”
Charlton`s Perspective
While Wrexham is embracing the celebratory atmosphere surrounding their potential promotion run, Charlton is focused on maintaining their routine approach. Despite being on a six-game unbeaten streak, including a 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers on Monday, manager Nathan Jones is taking things one game at a time, particularly with Saturday`s match being a must-win. This contrasts sharply with the Red Dragons` mood, which Jones described as a “circus.”
“All we do is focus on the next game,” Jones said after the Wycombe match on Monday. “We aren`t looking ahead to the playoffs, nor are we thinking about the final game against Burton at home. We`ll finish this game, debrief, take a moment, and then move on to Wrexham. It`s a big game, we have to go into that `circus` and see what result we can get.”
Predicted Starting Lineups
Wrexham: Arthur Okonkwo, Max Cleworth, Dan Scarr, Lewis Brunt, Ryan Longman, George Dobson, Matty James, Oliver Rathbone, James McClean, Jay Rodriguez, Sam Smith
Charlton: Will Mannion, Kayne Ramsay, Lloyd Jones, Macaulay Gillesphey, Josh Edwards, Conor Coventry, Greg Docherty, Thierry Small, Luke Berry, Tyreece Campbell, Matt Godden
Player to Watch
Ryan Bennett, Wrexham: One of Wrexham`s strengths this season is the distribution of goals and assists across the squad. However, Ryan Bennett stands out with nine assists, leading the team in that category. He`s certainly a player to keep a close eye on in Saturday`s game. With promotion on the line, expect Bennett to play a significant role against Charlton.
Key Storyline
Wrexham`s Promotion Quest: A spot in the Championship is now well within Wrexham`s reach, and the path forward is relatively clear: secure a victory against Charlton on Saturday. If they win, their promotion will be confirmed. This match is the culmination of their promotion campaign and holds immense significance.
Prediction
A high-stakes match like this one has the potential for plenty of drama, making it an exciting fixture to end the season. While a home win would be a fairytale conclusion to Wrexham`s latest promotion push, Charlton are a formidable opponent and could certainly disrupt the Red Dragons` plans. A draw wouldn`t necessarily end Wrexham`s promotion hopes, but it feels like a fitting outcome for two competitive and highly motivated teams.
Predicted Score: Wrexham 1, Charlton 1
