Preview: Wrexham vs. Barnet - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts will want to bounce back from a defeat in their last match, while Barnet face a tough test but will go into the game with confidence after a victory last time out.

Match preview

In a top-of-the-table clash on Tuesday night, Wrexham fell just short away to Notts County, losing 1-0 in a tight game, a result that will have been made even more frustrating by their opponents leapfrogging into first place in the process.

The loss ended a run of eight games without defeat for Phil Parkinson's side, in which time they racked up impressive 5-0 victories against Maidstone United and Dorking Wanderers, also adding a 6-0 demolition of Torquay United in their last home outing.

The Welsh side have been formidable at the Racecourse Ground, winning all five of their matches at home so far this season, scoring 20 goals and conceding just three in the process.

The Dragons are also the top scorers in the division, with 31 goals to their name after just 12 games, and strike partners Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer make up more than half of this tally, already having 16 goals between them at this early stage of the season.

Also to Wrexham's advantage heading into Saturday's game is their defence, boasting the joint-best defensive record in the league, conceding just 10 goals in 12 league games, with Ben Tozer and Aaron Hayden forming a brilliant partnership at the back.

Barnet travel to the Racecourse Ground having only won one away match this season, defeating Yeovil Town 2-1 back in August, and so they will need to improve considerably if they stand any chance of getting something on Saturday.

Despite recent away form, The Bees will be boosted by a 4-3 win against Maidstone on Tuesday, with Nicke Kabamba scoring a brace to earn his side the three points, after previously failing to win in five.

However, one area of concern for Dean Brennan will be the defence, his side shipping 13 goals in their last three games, with only three National League teams having a worse defensive record this season.

Although they have struggled in recent weeks, The Bees remain just three points off the playoffs, in 11th place, owing to fantastic form in August where they picked up 13 of their 17 total points, and a win would keep them within touching distance of Woking in seventh.

Wrexham National League form:

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Barnet National League form:

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Team News

Wrexham's Jordan Davies had to be withdrawn before the break in the game at Notts County in the week, with the midfielder likely to miss out and his substitute on the night Elliott Lee set to start instead.

Elsewhere, there is seemingly no need for Phil Parkinson to change too much, given his side's healthy league position that has been achieved with their 4-4-2 system.

The strike partnership of Mullin and Palmer has been the preferred choice in every game so far this season, and the pair will almost certainly be the starting strikers again on Saturday.

Barnet have relied on Kabamba in recent matches, with the striker notching four goals in his last three games, and he will almost certainly lead the line again for The Bees.

Also impressive on Tuesday night was midfielder Michael Phillips, who returned to the starting lineup after missing out against York, and the 25-year-old is likely to keep his place.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

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

Barnet possible starting lineup:

Walker; Diarra, Okimo, Wynter; De Havilland, Gorman, Phillips, Pritchard, Hall; Kanu, Kabamba

We say: Wrexham 4-0 Barnet

Wrexham have developed a great habit of winning games by big margins this season, and we expect them to do the same here.

Defeat on Tuesday night will mean Phil Parkinson's side are eager to make a statement, and they have the perfect chance to do so given Barnet's poor defensive record.

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