It’s third vs sixth in League One, as two promotion-chasing sides will go head-to-head as Wrexham AFC host Leyton Orient at the Stōk Cae Ras.
Wrexham, who sit in third place, will be looking to keep the pressure on Wycombe Wanderers and Birmingham City as they aim to climb into the automatic spots, while Leyton Orient will be hoping to keep their spot in the play-off places.
As we enter the business end of the season both sides have started to pick up good form which is crucial at this stage of the season.
It is set to be a very closely contested game with both teams looking for the three points in search of increasing their promotion chances.
The last time these sides met in the league earlier this season the game finished 0-0 with both sides having plenty of chances.
There was not much to split the two sides the last time they faced off and this occasion will likely be no different.
Form Guide:
Wrexham: After a difficult January in terms of results, Phil Parkinson’s side have lifted themselves to another level and are currently on a four-game winning streak in all competitions.
In this period they have scored nine goals while conceding just three and have looked to have picked up their form at the right stage of the season as they look to maintain their promotion chase.
Leyton Orient: The visitors have played four home matches in a row, in all competitions, with two wins and two defeats in that period however one of those defeats was a narrow 2-1 defeat to Premier League champions Manchester City in the Emirates FA Cup in which they took the lead.
Scoring goals has not been an issue for Richie Wellen’s side having scored seven goals in their last four and they have only conceded four in this time. The visitors also head into this game with 15 clean sheets in League One which is the highest in the division.
Team News:
Wrexham: Phil Parkinson will be delighted to have the majority of his players back available for this clash with just goalkeeper Callum Burton and midfielder Elliott Lee expected to be unavailable.
The Wrexham boss also confirmed after their previous game against Northampton Town that forward Paul Mullin is back in training and it was a tactical decision to leave him out of the last squad so the forward could be back in contention to make a return.
Leyton Orient: For the visitors, defender Tom James is a major doubt for the clash in North Wales after he hobbled off against Lincoln City. Fellow Welshman Brandon Cooper is likely to replace him in the starting lineup.
Sonny Perkins is likely to keep his place in the team after his brace against Lincoln which saw his team claim a 3-2 win over the Imps.
Players to Watch
New Wrexham signing Sam Smith scored his first goal for the club following his January move from Reading which has taken his goal tally in League One to 12 goals and is a player that Leyton Orient will have to keep quiet if they hope to get anything from the game.
For Leyton Orient, they will be hoping striker Charlie Kelman can be the difference maker for them in this game. The 23-year-old has scored nine goals in the league this season including one in his last game.
Prediction
Both sides are in great form heading into this game so there is no doubt that this will be a closely contested encounter but because both need wins to keep their promotion pushes going we could see a very end-to-end game.
With Wrexham’s excellent home form and the signings they have made in January to an already stacked squad, they will be going into the game as favourites and will likely be too strong for the visitors.
Writers Prediction – Wrexham 2-1 Leyton Orient
Readers, who do you think will come out on top between the two sides?