Wrexhamvs.Blackpool

The hosts are in third place with 42 points following their 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers on December 21 and are just three points from first-placed Birmingham City, whereas the visitors are 12th with 27 points and are four points from sixth-placed Lincoln City, who occupy the league's final promotion playoff spot.

Match preview

Wrexham will be disappointed that they failed to take three points from their clash against Bristol Rovers considering they were winning 1-0 after 18 minutes but allowed their opponents to score an 86th-minute equaliser.

Head coach Phil Parkinson was largely impressed with his team's showing against managerless Bristol Rovers, telling reporters: "We dominated really, we never felt under any pressure in difficult conditions. A moment has cost us but if we're honest the game should have been done and dusted by then."

The draw was the Red Dragons' second consecutive stalemate, though they did win their prior five matches.

However, Parkinson's side have only scored more than one goal three times in their last 14 matches, though they have only conceded on three occasions in their seven most recent outings.

The hosts' record at the Racecourse Ground is phenomenal considering they have triumphed in 16 of their past 18 games at the stadium and are unbeaten at home since a 1-0 loss against Tranmere Rovers in March.

Meanwhile, Blackpool drew 0-0 with Stevenage on December 21, a match in which neither side created a single big chance.

Boss Steve Bruce accepted that a draw was a fair result but criticised his players, saying: "It was a tough watch all afternoon - it was difficult with a wind swirling around, but we didn't show enough quality in the last third. Our decision making at times wasn't the best, so it was frustrating."

Bruce's side have only played 20 games in League One, one fewer than sixth-placed Lincoln City and fifth-placed Stockport County.

Blackpool's record of 29 goals scored and 31 conceded in the third tier makes them the division's joint eight best offensive and 18th best defensive club.

The visitors have won three of their last four games in League One, and while they have lost four of their seven most recent away games in the league, they did win their last three on the road.

Wrexham League One form:

W

W

W

W

D

D

Wrexham form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

D

Blackpool League One form:

D

L

W

W

W

D

Blackpool form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

L

D

Team News

Wrexham midfielder Elliot Lee is set to miss out on Boxing Day but will soon be available, and in his absence, Parkinson could start Andy Cannon, Matty James and Oliver Rathbone.

First-choice goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo is nearing a return, but it is safe to assume that he will not be thrown straight into the starting XI, with Mark Howard likely to be shielded by centre-backs Max Cleworth, Eoghan O'Connell and Lewis Brunt.

Forward Jack Marriott is back running on grass but is still not available, so perhaps Luke Thomas and Ollie Palmer will feature in attack.

As for the visitors, they will not be able to select defenders Andy Lyons and Elkan Baggott, so expect Bruce to start a defence consisting of Odeluga Offiah, Matthew Pennington, Oliver Casey and James Husband.

Lee Evans and Albie Morgan are likely to start in midfield given Joshua Onomah has been ruled out and that CJ Hamilton and Sonny Carey are doubts.

Ashley Fletcher and Kyle Joseph started in the forward line for Blackpool against Stevenage, and the duo are almost certain to appear on Thursday.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Howard; Cleworth, O'Connell, Brunt; Barnett, Cannon, James, Rathbone, McClean; Thomas, Palmer

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Tyrer; Offiah, Pennington, Casey, Husband; Apter, Evans, Morgan, Ballard; Fletcher, Joseph

We say: Wrexham 2-1 Blackpool

Wrexham have a healthy squad compared to Blackpool and should be confident of regularly threatening their opponents.

Written by

Lewis Nolan

Previews by email