Wrexham will welcome Lincoln City to the Racecourse Ground on Tuesday evening, with both teams looking to strengthen their current push for promotion from League One.
The hosts are second in the table with 31 points from their 16 outings, while the visitors are just outside the playoffs in seventh, with 26 points from 16 games.
Match preview
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Wrexham have experienced a remarkable fairy tale rise up the English football pyramid in recent years, securing promotion from the National League as champions in 2022-23 and following it up with promotion from League Two in second place in 2023-24.
The Red Dragons are aiming for a third consecutive promotion as they battle for a place in the Championship this year, and they have certainly made a strong start in pursuit of that goal.
Phil Parkinson's men are heading into this game sitting second in the League One table with 31 points after 16 outings, from nine wins, four draws and three defeats.
That leaves them just four points behind table-toppers Wycombe Wanderers, who have 35 points but one game in hand, while they also sit a point above third-placed Stockport County, who have played one more match, and fourth-placed Birmingham City, who have played just 14 times.
Wrexham suffered a disappointing loss to Stockport two games ago but quickly bounced back with a commanding 3-0 win against Exeter City, a result that Parkinson will be hoping his side can build on in this match.
Lincoln narrowly missed out on the chance to compete in the League One playoffs last season, finishing seventh in the table and just two points behind Barnsley, leaving them vying for a top-six finish this time around.
They enter this game once again in seventh place, coincidentally trailing sixth-placed Barnsley on goal difference, with five teams all tied on 26 points, ranging from fifth-placed Huddersfield Town to ninth-placed Bolton Wanderers.
Michael Skubala, in charge since November 2023, has seen his team's form dip in recent outings, failing to win any of their last three league games, with two draws and one defeat, and he will be hoping they can return to winning ways with a crucial three points in the promotion battle here.
Lincoln have had the better of this fixture in past meetings, with the Imps having lost just one of the last eight, winning four and drawing three, though this is set to be their first encounter since they shared the field in the National League in November 2016.
Team News
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Jack Marriott, Wrexham's top scorer this term with five goals in 10 league appearances, will be sidelined until the new year after suffering a broken leg in training in October, leaving the Red Dragons likely to rely on Ollie Palmer and Elliot Lee in attack.
Ryan Barnett and James McClean have been standout performers for Parkinson's outfit from wide positions this season, with Barnett leading the league with six assists, and the pair are expected to start again here.
Arthur Okonkwo and Will Boyle are also sidelined due to injuries, with Callum Burton and Lewis Brunt expected to start in their place, partnering Eoghan O'Connell and Max Cleworth in defence.
As for the visitors, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild is unlikely to return due to an injury he sustained on international duty, while Adam Jackson, Paudie O'Connor and Erik Ring are all doubts.
Despite ultimately losing 3-2 to Wycombe, Skubala will likely be encouraged by a strong performance against the league leaders, meaning a similar side could be named here.
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Burton; Cleworth, O'Connell, Brunt; Barnett, Dobson, James, Rathbone, McClean; Lee, Palmer
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Montsma, O'Connor, Roughan; Darikwa, McGrandles, Erhahon, Moylan, Duffy; House, Makama
We say: Wrexham 2-1 Lincoln City
Both teams have made strong starts to the season as they battle for promotion, but with Wrexham unbeaten in their first eight home matches and the visitors without a win in their last three league fixtures, we believe the hosts will emerge victorious here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
