Wrexham faces Charlton on Saturday in a pivotal League One match. Both teams are still very much in contention for automatic promotion to the Championship.
Wrexham can secure promotion on Saturday with a victory, following Wycombe`s earlier defeat against Leyton Orient.
The Red Dragons are in a strong position to achieve a remarkable third successive promotion, climbing England`s football hierarchy. They currently sit second in League One with 86 points and have two games remaining. However, Wrexham isn`t the only side vying for an automatic promotion place. Charlton sits just four points adrift in fourth position and faces a must-win fixture if they hope to finish in the top two.
Both teams will be highly motivated to avoid finishing between third and sixth place, as this would mean entering the promotion playoffs, which culminate in a final at Wembley Stadium in London on May 25.
Here`s what you need to know ahead of the game.
Match Details & Odds
- Date: Saturday, April 26 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Racecourse Ground — Wrexham, Wales
- Live stream: Check local listings for providers like Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
- Odds: Wrexham +125; Draw +220; Charlton +230
Last Encounter
The previous meeting between these two sides in October was a thrilling contest that finished 2-2. Wrexham took the lead early through a Conor Coventry own goal in the 16th minute, but Charlton quickly 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 deep in the 97th minute, ensuring the points were shared.
What Wrexham are Saying
Promotion has been a major talking point at Wrexham for several weeks, and as they draw nearer to the feat, the sense of celebration has been palpable. A prime example was their win at Blackpool on Monday, where co-owner and actor Rob McElhenney joined 2,000 travelling fans, celebrating alongside them as the Red Dragons secured another vital win. He had also spoken to the team the day before, which the players greatly appreciated.
“I`ve always said this is a team effort,” manager Phil Parkinson commented after the Blackpool victory. “Rob was with the lads [on Sunday] and he gave a fantastic talk about his feelings in this situation. The lads loved that. This demonstrates the togetherness that has brought us this far.”
Parkinson hopes this collective spirit will be evident on Saturday when Wrexham plays at home with promotion within reach.
“It`s brilliant – the support was great today,” Parkinson added. “I want the same and more next week from the home supporters. I have to be honest, I want that place bouncing – these lads deserve it. We`ve come a long, long way this season. We`ve held off a lot of big clubs in this division. We need everyone in the ground to create an atmosphere and get the Racecourse bouncing to support the team as much as we can.”
What Charlton are Saying
While Wrexham embraces the excitement of a potential promotion, Charlton is trying to maintain a business-as-usual approach. Despite being on a six-game unbeaten run, including a dominant 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers on Monday, manager Nathan Jones is focusing on one game at a time, acknowledging Saturday`s match is a must-win. This contrasts sharply with the Red Dragons` atmosphere, which Jones colorfully described as a “circus.”
“All we are doing is taking it game by game,” Jones said on Monday after the Wycombe match. “We are not thinking about the playoffs, we are not thinking about Burton at home on the final day. We`ll finish [this game], we`ll debrief, we`ll breathe a little bit, and then we`ll prepare for Wrexham. It`s a huge game, we have to go to the circus and see what we can achieve.”
Predicted 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 Barnett, Wrexham: One of Wrexham`s strengths this season has been their diverse sources of goals and assists. Ryan Barnett stands out in the latter category, leading the team with nine assists this term. He is certainly a player to keep an eye on in Saturday`s game. With promotion potentially just one step away, expect Barnett to play a crucial role against Charlton.
Storyline to Watch
Wrexham`s Promotion Quest: A spot in the Championship is now firmly within Wrexham`s grasp, and the path is relatively clear. A win against Charlton on Saturday, coupled with Wycombe Wanderers dropping points against Leyton Orient earlier in the day, would secure the Red Dragons` place in England`s second division next season.
Prediction
A high-stakes encounter like this one has the potential to deliver significant drama for an end-of-season clash, so expectations are high for an entertaining game. While a home win would be the perfect fairytale conclusion to Wrexham`s latest promotion push, Charlton is 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 plausible outcome for two competitive and highly motivated teams. Pick: Wrexham 1, Charlton 1
Dominic Ashworth