Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Wrexham and Crawley Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
After losing to Birmingham City on Monday, Wrexham will look to return to winning ways when they play host to Crawley Town in Saturday’s League One contest.
Crawley will also be hoping to produce a positive response after taking just one point from their previous three league games.
Match preview
© Imago
After clinching back-to-back promotions, Wrexham made an impressive start to the 2024-25 League One season, drawing with Bolton Wanderers before recording three consecutive victories without conceding.
Unfortunately for the Red Dragons, their unbeaten start to the league season ended in Monday’s clash against Birmingham City – a game which was watched by David Beckham, Blues minority owner Tom Brady and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney.
Jack Marriott netted a third-minute opener to get the Welsh side off to the perfect start, but Birmingham ultimately flexed their muscles to turn the game in their favour thanks to a brace from League One record-signing Jay Stansfield and a Tomoki Iwata strike.
Despite falling to a 3-1 defeat, Wrexham remain top of the League One table courtesy of their goal-difference advantage over Birmingham and Charlton Athletic.
The Red Dragons will attempt to retain top spot when they go in search of a fifth consecutive home win in all competitions in Saturday’s meeting with Crawley.
© Imago
Like Wrexham, Crawley were promoted from League Two last season after they prevailed in May’s playoff final against Crewe Alexandra.
The Reds made a fast start to their first League One campaign since 2015-16, beating Blackpool 2-1 before recording a narrow away win over Cambridge United.
However, the momentum built by Crawley’s positive start was quashed by consecutive league defeats against Wigan Athletic and Barnsley.
Scott Lindsey‘s side were unable to return to winning ways in their most recent meeting with Stockport County, but they did at least avoid another defeat courtesy of Junior Quitirna‘s 68th-minute penalty.
After playing out a 1-1 home draw against Stockport, Crawley will now head on their travels with hopes of claiming an away win over Wrexham for the first time since March 2009.
Wrexham League One form:
Wrexham form (all competitions):
Crawley Town League One form:
Crawley Town form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed that wing-back Luke Bolton will be out for around two weeks due to a foot problem.
Midfielder Andy Cannon is pushing for a starting spot after returning from injury to feature as a substitute against Birmingham.
Marriott will be looking to continue his impressive form, having scored in each of his last three league appearances.
As for the visitors, Dion Conroy, Gavan Holohan and Sonny Fish are yet to feature this season and the trio remain doubts for the trip to Wales.
Quitirna could be rewarded with a starting spot after he came off the bench to score a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Stockport.
Summer addition Bradley Ibrahim made his debut as a substitute last weekend, and he could be given more minutes off the bench on Saturday.
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Okonkwo; Barnett, Cleworth, O’Connell, O’Connor, McClean; Cannon, Dobson, Lee; Marriott, Palmer
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Mullarkey, Mukena, Flint; Camara, Williams, Anderson, Kelly; Darcy, Quitirna; Swan
We say: Wrexham 3-1 Crawley Town
Wrexham have won all four competitive home games this season by a combined 11-3 scoreline, and we think they will make full use of their dominance on home turf to sweep past Crawley at the Racecourse Ground.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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