Preview: Oldham Athletic vs. Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

The Latics will be hoping to bounce back from an away defeat to Bromley, while the visitors come into the game knowing a win could send them to the top of the table.

Match preview

The match is set to be David Unsworth's first home game as Oldham boss, with the former Everton coach having the chance to take stock of his new squad in a disappointing 3-0 loss at Bromley last time out.

Unsworth's side have found it hard to adjust to life playing in the National League for the first time in their history, currently sitting in 15th place with just 11 points from their opening 10 games, and parted with manager John Sheridan after a 3-0 loss at Woking earlier this month.

Despite coming up against tough opposition in Wrexham, the home side may be given a boost by the game taking place in front of their own fans where they have won three of their five games so far, clearly favouring home fixtures to away trips in which they have only amassed two points.

Tricky winger Ben Tollitt is a threat to the Wrexham backline, signing for Oldham in the summer after scoring nine goals in 38 league games for AFC Fylde last season.

Phil Parkinson will be hoping his side can go one better this time round and get promoted, after losing their playoff semi-final to Grimsby Town in a shock result last season.

Wrexham have started the campaign exactly how their manager would have wanted, and they could not be coming into the game with any more confidence with six wins in their last seven, and a 6-0 demolition of Torquay United last weekend.

Winning all five of their home games so far and only losing one of their opening 10 games, the stars of Disney show 'Welcome to Wrexham' have made a superb start but face a tricky test going to a ground which will have a great atmosphere, given the new ownership and manager in place at the club.

The Welsh side boast the best attacking record in the league, five goals clear of any other team with 29 goals in just 10 games. The prolific strike partnership made up of Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer are the main contributors to the team's attacking output, notching an impressive 15 goals between them.

There has also been a stellar defensive effort on Wrexham's behalf as they have the joint-best defence in the league, and have kept three clean sheets in their last four matches.

Central defender Ben Tozer has been key to this good start, playing every minute of every game for his side so far this season.

Oldham Athletic National League form:

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D

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L

Wrexham National League form:

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D

W

Team News

After defeat at Bromley, David Unsworth may choose to make some changes to his side to get a better gauge of his new squad.

One player who may make his first start for the club is new signing John Rooney, who joined the club from Barrow on Tuesday, with the midfielder becoming the first signing of the Unsworth era.

After being brought on for the second half against Bromley, Mike Fondop-Talum may be favoured in attack, with the target man giving The Latics a different option.

Wrexham seemingly have no reason to tinker too much with a winning formula, having started the same team in each of their last four matches.

However, one change they will be forced into is replacing Jacob Mendy, who has been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, with Callum McFadzean likely to play in his absence.

Reece Hall-Johnson has returned to training having not played a game yet this season, and could be in contention to start on Saturday.

Oldham Athletic possible starting lineup:

Norman; Roberts, Sheron, Carragher, Threlkeld; Burgess, Stobbs, Rooney, Tollitt, Fondop-Talum, Luamba

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Howard; Cleworth, Hayden, Tozer, McFadzean; Davies, Forde, Jones, Young; Mullin, Palmer

We say: Oldham Athletic 1-2 Wrexham

Oldham will be buoyed by the arrival of manager David Unsworth, but Wrexham are in such good form that it would be unwise not to expect them to win here and keep their run going, although we think it will be by a narrow margin.

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