Wrexham hasn`t played in the second tier of English football since 1982, but they are now very close to achieving promotion. As the League One season nears its end, the Welsh club is within touching distance of the Championship. However, after a 2-2 draw against Cambridge United, a team fighting to avoid relegation, their promotion destiny is no longer solely in their hands. This happened on a night when their rivals missed an opportunity to give Wrexham control of the promotion chase.
Phil Parkinson`s team is currently second in the league standings with six games remaining. Birmingham City leads 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 shaping up to be very competitive.
Wycombe Wanderers still control their own destiny, despite failing to score against Shrewsbury Town, the bottom-ranked team, even with 30 shots in a match that ended in a draw. Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic and Stockport County both gained ground on Tuesday, setting the stage for an exciting finish to the season on May 3rd.
League One Automatic Promotion Standings
| Team | Pld. | W | D | L | GD | Pts. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 39 | 28 | 8 | 3 | 43 | 92 | |
| 2 | Wrexham | 41 | 24 | 9 | 8 | 27 | 81 | |
| 3 | Wycombe | 40 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 28 | 75 | |
| 4 | Stockport | 41 | 21 | 11 | 9 | 24 | 74 | |
| 5 | Charlton | 41 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 73 | |
| 6 | Bolton | 40 | 20 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 66 |
The top two teams will automatically be promoted to the Championship. Teams finishing third through sixth will compete in playoffs: two-leg semi-finals followed by a final at Wembley on May 25th.
Wrexham`s Upcoming Matches
- 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 to the top two isn`t guaranteed. If Wycombe wins all their remaining seven games, Wrexham would need to match that perfect run just to tie on points. In such a case, goal difference would decide the promotion, and Wycombe currently has a five-goal advantage, also having scored more goals overall.
However, such consistent wins are unlikely. Promotion may depend on key matches for both teams. Wrexham`s games against Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers should be winnable, considering their lower league positions. Yet, facing teams fighting relegation at this stage of the season is always challenging.
A crucial period for both Wycombe and Wrexham is late April. Charlton plays against Wycombe and then Wrexham within five days. If Charlton wins either of these matches, it could significantly impact the promotion race. Winning both could put Charlton firmly in contention.
Wrexham`s Rapid Ascent
If Wrexham holds off Wycombe and other contenders, they will achieve their third promotion in three seasons. After a 15-year absence, they returned to the English Football League in 2022-23, quickly followed by promotion from League Two in second place.
Other English teams have achieved three consecutive promotions, with Truro City and Shaw Lane even achieving four. But no team has risen so quickly through the higher levels of English football. For example, FC United of Manchester climbed three tiers after being founded in 2005, but they reached the Northern Premier League Premier Division, which is level seven in the pyramid.
Wrexham`s challenge is at a higher level as they aim for the Championship. The 2022-23 National League and Leagues Two and One are all composed of professional clubs. Wrexham, owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, has had the financial strength to dominate at each level. This raises the question of their Championship readiness.
Can Wrexham Compete in the Championship?
Consider the possibility of Wrexham reaching the Premier League after another promotion. Consecutive promotions from League One to the Premier League are rare, though Ipswich Town achieved it last season. Such teams are usually major forces in English football. Wrexham has gained a large global fanbase since its takeover, but the Championship is financially demanding.
In League Two, Wrexham`s wage bill exceeded $14 million annually, and it likely increased with signings like Jay Rodriguez and Matty James. Despite higher wages, a promoted team like Wrexham might still spend significantly less than the richest Championship clubs. Wrexham director Humprey Ker suggested their salary spending might need to quadruple to compete after promotion.
This investment might be necessary because Wrexham`s underlying performance data doesn`t strongly suggest Championship readiness. They`ve scored 56 goals from 48.1 expected goals (xG) and conceded 32 goals from 42.4 xG of shots faced. While second in League One, they rank ninth in non-penalty xG difference.
This raises concerns about their promotion chances and Championship survival. However, since 2020, Wrexham has consistently risen to challenges. If they do get promoted from League One, expect significant investment to keep them competitive in the Championship.
