Wrexham will host Stockport County at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in a critical League One matchup with promotion implications. Currently, Wrexham stands in third place with 71 points, while Stockport is in fifth place, trailing by six points. The stakes are high as both teams vie for promotion, with Wrexham looking to solidify their place in the top two and Stockport hoping to boost their chances of automatic promotion.
Wrexham's recent form has been strong, illustrated by their narrow 1-0 victory against Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday. This marked their third 1-0 win in four matches, showcasing their defensive solidity and reliance on key players like Sam Smith, who netted the decisive goal against Wycombe. Despite their good run, Wrexham briefly found themselves demoted to third place on goal difference after Wycombe's midweek victory against Rotherham United. However, with Wycombe not playing this weekend, Wrexham has a golden opportunity to reclaim second place.
Returning to their home ground for the first time after overcoming Rotherham, Wrexham aims to break a four-game winless streak at home, a challenge they hope to tackle against a Stockport side with whom they have had recent successes. The Red Dragons hold a record of three consecutive home wins against Stockport, including a tight 2-1 victory in their last encounter at the Racecourse Ground in April 2024.
While Wrexham looks to build on their recent victories, Stockport County also enters the matchup with a positive mindset. Looking to ascend to League One after successfully clinching the League Two title the previous season, Stockport is six points adrift from the two automatic promotion spots with nine matches remaining. With a strong showing in their last few games, including a narrow 1-0 triumph against Bolton Wanderers last Saturday, courtesy of a goal from Isaac Olaofe, they will be eager to maintain momentum.
Recent head-to-head results give Stockport an added boost, as they won the first fixture between the two teams this season with a 1-0 win at Edgeley Park last November. The Hatters feel confident going into this game, particularly with only one loss in their last 12 matches (W8, D3) adding to their optimistic outlook.
As both squads prepare for Saturday’s clash, injury concerns present challenges. Wrexham will be without several key players, including Luke Bolton, Callum Burton, Andy Cannon, and Ollie Palmer. The health of Sebastian Revan and Ryan Barnett is uncertain, which may impact Wrexham's lineup choices. However, the return of defender Thomas O'Connor could bolster their defense alongside Max Cleworth and Eoghan O'Connell.
On the other hand, Stockport will be without Nick Powell, Ben Hinchcliffe, and Fraser Horsfall due to injuries, while full-back Macauley Southam-Hales remains a doubt after missing the last match. The team is looking to push for starting positions for Ibou Touray, Callum Connolly, and Kyle Wootton, who played well as substitutes in their previous match.
Simon Mather has been appointed as the match referee. Mather has a history with both teams; he has overseen Stockport matches 13 times in the past and officiated Wrexham's encounters against Mansfield Town and Shrewsbury Town this season. His officiating track record includes 182 yellow cards and 10 red cards across 36 games this season. With his recent experience, Mather can be expected to maintain order during this high-stakes game.
Assistant referees Ollie Williams and Abbas Khan will support Mather, with Elliott Swallow serving as the Fourth Official. These officiating details only add to the atmosphere leading up to what promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Both teams have compelling narratives for this season; Wrexham seeks to establish their identity within the promotion race while Stockport aims to assert their rising potential following a successful League Two campaign. With legendary rivalry and passionate fanbases, the atmosphere at the Racecourse is set to be electric.
In our prediction for the match, despite Wrexham's home advantage, Stockport's impressive record of only one loss in the last 12 games makes it tough to separate the two sides. Therefore, a 1-1 draw seems a likely outcome as both teams vie for crucial points toward their aspirations.
