Preview: Wrexham vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

While the hosts are sitting in third place, the U's are languishing in 22nd place after collecting just 20 points from their 21 league games.

Match preview

Following their success in the National League last season, Wrexham are eyeing up back-to-back promotions after collecting 37 points from 20 matches to give them a one-point cushion over the clubs sitting just outside the top three.

Phil Parkinson's side have had to put their promotion bid on hold for their last couple of matches, as they turned their attention to consecutive cup fixtures, beginning with a commanding 3-0 victory over sixth-tier Yeovil Town to seal their place in the FA Cup third round.

Unfortunately for the Red Dragons, they were unable to replicate that success in their recent EFL Trophy tie against Burton Albion, which ultimately resulted in a 3-2 home defeat.

Wrexham have had 10 days to reflect on that loss after last weekend's away league fixture against Forest Green Rovers was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

Although they have not played a league game since the end of November, Wrexham still head into the weekend in a fine run of form, having lost just one of their previous 11 matches in the fourth tier (W6, D4).

Colchester, meanwhile, will head to Wales with hopes of claiming their first competitive victory since beating Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy on November 21.

Since the result, the U's have gone on to lose four consecutive games in all competitions, including a 4-0 EFL Trophy defeat to West Ham United Under-21s in their first fixture of December.

Matthew Etherington's side were unable to end their poor spell of form last weekend, as they fell to a narrow 2-1 loss to Crawley Town, leaving them five points above 23rd-place Forest Green, who have the benefit of two games in hand.

Having shipped 42 goals in 21 league matches, Colchester possess the worst defensive record in the fourth tier, and Etherington will need to find a way to shore up his backline if his side are to move away from the danger zone.

Unfortunately for the U's, they have developed a habit of conceding late games, having shipped 14 goals in the final 15 minutes of their league fixtures this season - no team have let in more in the same period, while only Swindon Town can match that figure.

Wrexham League Two form:

W

W

W

L

W

D

Wrexham form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

W

L

Colchester United League Two form:

W

D

L

L

L

L

Colchester United form (all competitions):

L

W

L

L

L

L

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Team News

Wrexham goalkeeper Rob Lainton is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after undergoing a knee operation, while fellow shot-stopper Arthur Okonkwo is currently being assessed by his parent club Arsenal, having missed the last two matches with a jaw injury.

While Okonkwo is closing in on a return to action, the experienced Mark Howard is likely to feature between the posts for Saturday's league contest.

In addition to their goalkeeping concerns, Wrexham are also expected to be without Bryce Hosannah, Ryan Barnett, Anthony Forde, Eoghan O'Connell, Aaron Hayden, Jordan Tunnicliffe and Steven Fletcher.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon striker Samson Tovide, who is set to be out of action for two to three months after he sustained an ankle injury against Crawley Town last weekend.

Having recently returned from injury, experienced striker John Akinde could replace Tovide in the Colchester forward line.

Taylor, who is set to join Akinde in the forward line, will be looking to find the net in a third consecutive league game.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

howard; Mendy, Tozer, Boyle, O'Connor, McClean; Evans, Cannon, Lee; Palmer, Mullin,

Colchester United possible starting lineup:

Goodman; Mitchell, Kelleher, Egbo; Greenridge, McGeehan, Read, Jay, Fevrier; Taylor, Akinde

We say: Wrexham 3-1 Colchester United

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