Preview: Boreham Wood vs. Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

It is set to be a top-of-the-table clash, with the home side currently occupying third place, and the visitors sitting in second.

Match preview

Boreham Wood have made an impressive start to the season, placed inside the all-important top three after losing just twice in their opening 13 league fixtures.

With just 12 goals conceded so far, Luke Garrard's side have the joint-second best defence in the league, shipping more than one goal on just one occasion since the middle of August.

In their last league outing, the Hertfordshire side ran out 2-1 winners away at Wealdstone, with Josh Rees and Tyrone Marsh scoring second-half goals to put them in the ascendency, before Simeon Akinola struck late to ensure that it was a nervy finish.

The Wood characteristically held out to secure a second win in three National League games, before again defeating Wealdstone last Saturday, this time at home in a 5-3 thriller, to secure progression to the FA Cup first round.

Unusually though, The Wood have been far better on the road so far this season, picking up 17 of their 25 points away from their own stadium, where they have only won two from six.

As such, the Hertfordshire side will be looking to put this record right with a victory against Wrexham on Saturday, although it will be a very tough match against the Hollywood-owned side.

Indeed, Wrexham are likely to head into Saturday's fixture as favourites, having lost just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

However, the Welsh side's solitary loss did come away from home against good opposition in top-of-the-table Notts County, also losing away at fourth-place Chesterfield back in August.

Form on the road may be one area of weakness for Phil Parkinson's side, with draws in away fixtures at Yeovil Town and Southend United earlier in the season.

The frailties are few and far between though, boasting by far and away the best attacking record in the league, scoring 38 goals in 13 matches, seven more than any other side.

The Dragon's most recent league game typified their prowess in front of the opposition net superbly, beating Barnet in a 7-5 thriller at The Racecourse Ground, with Paul Mullin and Aaron Hayden both scoring braces.

It was not the first time that Wrexham have been so relentless going forward, also defeating Dorking Wanderers and Maidstone United 5-0, and Torquay United 6-0 earlier this season.

Boreham Wood National League form:

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Wrexham National League form:

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Wrexham form (all competitions):

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Team News

Connor Stevens is set to miss out with an Achilles injury sustained in Boreham Wood's 2-1 victory against Wealdstone, with David Stephens expected to play in his absence, after replacing the defender in last week's lineup.

Right-back Cameron Coxe joined The Wood from Colchester United on a short-term loan last week and he marked his debut for The Wood with a goal in FA Cup qualifying, so he is likely to keep his place in the side.

Tyrone Marsh has been the key man in attack, scoring five goals in 12 league outings, and he is expected to get the nod in attack alongside Danny Newton.

Strike partners Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer have been vital in Wrexham's good start to the season, with the pair accounting for half of their side's league goals, netting 19 between them and poised to start again on Saturday.

Jordan Davies returned from a calf injury in FA Cup qualifying against Blyth Spartans last weekend, and scored in the replay at The Racecourse Ground during midweek, posing a selection dilemma in midfield for Phil Parkinson.

Long-term absentees Harry Lennon and Reece Hall-Johnson are now back in full-time training, and could be in contention to get some minutes on Saturday.

Boreham Wood possible starting lineup:

Ashmore; Evans, Ilesanmi, Stephens, Coxe; Brunt, Payne, Broadbent, Lewis; Marsh, Newton

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Howard; Forde, Hayden, Tozer, Cleworth; McFadzean, Young, O'Connor, Davies; Mullin, Palmer

We say: Boreham Wood 0-1 Wrexham

With only one place separating the two teams in the league standings, we think the most likely result in this one is a narrow Wrexham win. If the away side do take the lead, other games this season indicate that they are capable of running away with it, but the Boreham Wood defence should be good enough to keep it tight.

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