Wrexham faces Charlton in a crucial League One fixture on Saturday, with both clubs still very much in contention for automatic promotion to the Championship. Following Wycombe`s earlier defeat to Leyton Orient, Wrexham has the opportunity to secure promotion with a victory today.
The Red Dragons are in a strong position to achieve a remarkable third consecutive promotion, navigating their way up the English football pyramid. They currently sit second in the League One standings with 86 points and only two games remaining. Charlton, however, is close behind in fourth place, just four points adrift, making this encounter a must-win for them to maintain their automatic promotion hopes.
Both sides are eager to avoid finishing in positions three through six, which would require navigating the more challenging promotion playoffs. The final of these playoffs is scheduled for May 25 at London`s iconic Wembley Stadium.
Here`s what you need to know ahead of the match:
Match Information & Odds
- Date: Saturday, April 26 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Racecourse Ground — Wrexham, Wales
- Live stream: Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
- Odds: Wrexham +125; Draw +220; Charlton +230
Previous Encounter
Their last meeting in October was a dynamic match that concluded in a 2-2 draw. Wrexham took an early lead through an own goal, but Charlton quickly responded. Wrexham regained the lead in the 72nd minute, only for Charlton to snatch a point with a penalty converted in the 97th minute.
Wrexham`s Perspective
Promotion has been a prevalent topic at Wrexham for several weeks, and the growing excitement is difficult to ignore as they approach their goal. The club`s well-known co-owner, actor Rob McElhenney, recently joined 2,000 away fans for the win at Blackpool and was seen celebrating alongside them. Manager Phil Parkinson emphasized the team`s unity, mentioning McElhenney`s impactful talk to the players the day before the Blackpool match, which was well received by the squad.
Parkinson hopes this sense of togetherness will be evident on Saturday when Wrexham plays at home with promotion within reach. He called for the home crowd to make the Racecourse `bouncing` to support the team in achieving their long-journeyed goal.
Charlton`s Perspective
In contrast to Wrexham`s celebratory mood, Charlton is focused on maintaining routine. Despite being on a six-game unbeaten streak, including a dominant 4-0 win recently, manager Nathan Jones is concentrating on taking things one game at a time for this critical match. He contrasted his team`s disciplined approach with Wrexham`s atmosphere, which he characterized as a `circus`, stating they just need to “go to the circus and see what we can get.”
Anticipated 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
Key Player to Watch
Ryan Bennett, Wrexham: A notable strength for Wrexham this season is their ability to get goals and assists from various sources. Ryan Bennett has been particularly influential, leading the team with nine assists. Keep an eye on him to play a significant role in Saturday`s promotion push.
Match Storyline
Wrexham`s Promotion Quest: A spot in the Championship is now firmly within Wrexham`s grasp. The scenario is clear: win against Charlton on Saturday and hope that Wycombe Wanderers fail to secure three points against Leyton Orient earlier in the day. Should both conditions be met, the Red Dragons will compete in England`s second tier next season.
Prediction
This high-stakes match holds the promise of significant drama fitting for the end of the season. While a victory at home feels like the ideal scenario for Wrexham`s latest promotion campaign, Charlton is a formidable opponent capable of disrupting their plans. A draw would not necessarily doom Wrexham`s promotion hopes but appears to be a plausible outcome for two highly motivated and competitive teams.
Pick: Wrexham 1, Charlton 1
