Wrexham continues their impressive campaign for a third consecutive promotion as they face Cambridge United on Tuesday. Wrexham enters the match as favorites, positioned second in League One, while Cambridge United struggles near the bottom of the table at 23rd.
The Welsh team, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has had another standout season. Their current league position puts them on track for automatic promotion to the Championship. Cambridge United, in contrast, has had a difficult season with only seven wins in 39 games.
The disparity between the two teams is significant, with Wrexham holding a 46-point lead over Cambridge. This difference is further highlighted by their goal differences: Wrexham boasts a +24 goal difference, while Cambridge has a -26. Despite Cambridge`s recent seven-game unbeaten run, Wrexham is still heavily favored for Tuesday`s game.
Match Details
- Date: Tuesday, April 1
- Location: Abbey Stadium, Cambridge, England
Previous Encounter
When these teams last met in December, the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Cambridge took an early lead through Elias Kachunga, but Wrexham quickly equalized with a goal from James McClean. Wrexham then went ahead with a Steven Fletcher goal, only for Dan Nlundulu to score a late equalizer for Cambridge.
Cambridge United`s Perspective
Cambridge United is currently in the relegation zone, needing five points to reach safety with seven games remaining. Every point is crucial for Neil Harris` team as they fight to avoid relegation. They might draw confidence from their previous draw against Wrexham. However, their current focus is on improving their present form after a recent draw against Northampton Town.
Manager Harris expressed disappointment with his team`s first-half performance in the Northampton game, emphasizing the need for a more aggressive and resilient approach. While acknowledging the need for improvement, he remained optimistic about securing points in their fight for survival.
Wrexham`s Ambitions
Wrexham, in contrast, is in high spirits with five wins in their last six games, focusing on their push for Championship promotion. With a narrow two-point lead over third-place Wycombe Wanderers and seven games left, automatic promotion is within reach, fueling discussions about a potentially historic season. If successful, Wrexham could become the first team in England`s top five divisions to achieve three consecutive promotions.
The team is maintaining a calm and focused approach as the season nears its conclusion. Ollie Rathbone stated that they are aware of the potential record but view it as an exciting challenge to embrace. Wrexham aims to leverage the experience within their squad, particularly from senior players with Premier League backgrounds, to navigate the pressure and achieve their goals.
Rathbone highlighted the winning mentality within the team, where experienced players and coaching staff maintain focus and quickly move on to the next challenge after each victory, avoiding complacency.
Predicted Lineups
Cambridge United: Nathan Bishop, James Gibbons, Michael Morrison, Kelland Watts, Scott Malone, Paul Digby, Ben Stevenson, Elias Kachunga, Josh Stokes, James Brophy, Dom Ballard
Wrexham: Arthur Okonkwo, Max Cleworth, Eoghan O`Connell, Lewis Brunt, Ryan Longman, George Dobson, Matty James, Oliver Rathbone, James McClean, Jay Rodriguez, Sam Smith
Player Spotlight
Sam Smith, Wrexham: Given the form of both teams, this match presents an opportunity for Wrexham to improve their goal difference, which could be vital for final league standings. Sam Smith is expected to play a key role in this.
Smith is Wrexham`s top scorer this season with 14 League One goals. Having joined Wrexham in January, he aims to add to his goal tally and contribute to the team`s promotion push.
Key Match Storyline
Wrexham`s Promotion Pursuit: Wrexham`s rapid ascent through English football is nearing a potential Championship berth. With only seven games remaining, their promotion dream is becoming increasingly real.
Their success in League One is partly attributed to experienced players like Fletcher and Rodriguez, who bring Premier League quality to the third tier. This strategy, enabled by Wrexham`s financial resources, has set them apart. The crucial factor now is whether they can handle the pressure of making history.
This game against Cambridge serves as a test of their resolve. Despite Cambridge`s ability to compete, Wrexham is expected to secure a victory. Any slip-ups could allow Wycombe to close the gap in the promotion race, adding pressure to Wrexham`s final games.
Match Prediction
Wrexham is anticipated to win comfortably against Cambridge United. Expect a strong performance from both their experienced and emerging players, maintaining their momentum for the crucial matches ahead. Predicted Score: Cambridge United 0, Wrexham 3
Dominic Ashworth