Preview: Coventry City vs. Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors are currently second in the National League, which is three divisions lower than the Championship, where Coventry compete.

Match preview

Indeed, after years of turbulence on and off the pitch, former Manchester United forward Mark Robins - whose goal against Nottingham Forest in this competition famously saved Sir Alex Ferguson's job in January 1990 - has helped stabilise Coventry since taking over as their manager more than five years ago.

Robins may have failed to prevent them sliding down to England's fourth tier for the first time since 1959 after being handed a sinking ship in March 2017, but he helped them bounce back at the first time of asking via the play-offs, before winning League One two years later.

The Sky Blues have managed to avoid being embroiled in another relegation battle since, with their 12th-placed finish last season their best effort since coming eighth in the 2005-06 season. This time around, they are nine points clear of danger and only four points adrift of the play-offs, although losing their top goalscorer Viktor Gyokeres during this month's transfer window appears to be a distinct possibility.

Coventry have only progressed beyond the fourth round of the FA Cup once since reaching the quarter-finals in 2009, so Robins will be determined not to fall at home against non-league opposition at the Coventry Building Society Arena this weekend.

Wrexham, meanwhile, have been more prominent in the news within the last two years than perhaps their entire previous history combined, having been bought by famous actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in November 2020.

Despite much scepticism surrounding the takeover, with this year's released documentary 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary undoubtedly a key part of the actors' motivations for buying the club, the RR McReynolds Company LLC have significantly backed the club on and off the pitch to provide significant progression.

However, promotion and a return to the Football League has so far eluded the Red Dragons, with Stockport County pipping them to the National League title by six points last season, before Grimsby Town dramatically beat them 5-4 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals.

Phil Parkinson's side are involved in another dramatic title tussle this time around, too, with Notts County two points clear of them at the top of the table, although they have played one more match (which will become two by the end of this weekend due to their lack of involvement in the FA Cup third round).

As such, the former Sunderland boss may be inclined to prioritise his side's league position ahead of an unlikely cup run, although his players will be keen to impress against opposition players plying their trade three divisions above them.

Coventry City form (all competitions):

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Wrexham FA Cup form:

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Wrexham form (all competitions):

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Team News

Coventry will remain without Callum O'Hare, Marcel Hilsner, Kyle McFadzean, Tyler Walker and Matt Godden due to injury when they face Wrexham at the weekend.

Gyokeres, who has bagged 12 league goals in 23 starts this season, may not be risked, especially with any potential suitors unlikely to offer as much money should the 24-year-old become cup tied.

Wrexham, meanwhile, will travel without midfielder Jordan Davies due to a knee injury.

With his side hosting Bromley in the National League three days after their trip to the Midlands, Parkinson may be inclined to hand some of his fringe players an opportunity to impress.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Moore; Rose, Doyle, Panzo; Dabo, Sheaf, Eccles, Kelly, Reid; Waghorn, Tavares

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Dibble; Butler, Lennon, Tozer; Johnson, Young, Austin, Jones, McFadzean; Mullin, Lee

We say: Coventry City 3-1 Wrexham

With both managers likely to hand some of their squad players rare game time, we expect to seen an entertaining affair at Coventry on Saturday evening.

However, the hosts should have too much quality for their opponents in the end, even if their place in the English footballing pyramid is arguably a false one.

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