Wrexham will be looking to continue their National League promotion charge when they travel to the Hive Stadium to take on Barnet on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors are in a fantastic position to win the title, top of the table with just four games left to play, while the hosts are also in contention for promotion, currently sitting in fifth place.

Match preview

© Reuters

Barnet have had a very solid season, collecting 69 points in 42 games, and they are in a strong position to secure a place in the playoffs, given that they are six points clear of eight-placed Bromley, with four games to spare.

The Bees are seven points behind third-placed Woking, which means a top three finish is likely to be off the cards at this point, but they will still be happy with the strides they have made this season, after finishing 18th in the 2021-22 campaign.

One of the main reasons Dean Brennan's side have been able to compete at the top end of the table is due to their attacking prowess, scoring 73 goals up to this point, the third-highest amount of any side in the fifth tier.

That said, Barnet have struggled in front of goal in recent matches, scoring just once in their last three games, which does not bode well heading into a match against a side as strong as Wrexham.

Last time out, the Bees were held to a very disappointing 0-0 draw away at already-relegated Maidstone United, and a much-improved performance will be needed if they are to take anything from Saturday's game.

© Reuters

Wrexham have recorded an astounding 103 points in 42 National League games this season, and they now look almost certain to win the league title, courtesy of a vital victory in their last match.

In what was billed as one of the biggest fifth-tier matches of all time, the Red Dragons defeated title-rivals Notts County 3-2 in a match that lived up to the hype, with Ben Foster saving a 97th-minute penalty to clutch a 3-2 victory for the hosts.

Courtesy of that result, Phil Parkinson's side are three points clear of Notts County, while they also have a game in hand at their disposal, meaning it would take a monumental turnaround for them to fail to win promotion from this position.

Both Wrexham and Notts County have been by far and away the best teams in the division all season, but Saturday's hosts edged to the top of the goal-scoring charts with the victory last time out, having now scored an incredible 109 goals.

That said, the Welsh side did lose their last away match, coming unstuck in a 3-1 defeat against Halifax Town, which will serve as a reminder that they cannot take anything for granted at this stage of the season, particularly against good opposition in Barnet.

Team News

© Reuters

Jordan Tunnicliffe suffered a back spasm in the trip to Halifax, which ruled the centre-back out of the game against Notts County, so Tom O'Connor is likely to keep his place in the Wrexham backline.

Ollie Palmer is without a goal in his last five games, and he was withdrawn in the second half on Monday, meaning Sam Dalby could come into the attack, partnering top scorer Paul Mullin, who has scored six goals in his last five games.

Foster was the hero against Notts County, and the goalkeeper should be expected to keep his place for the rest of the season, as a result of the injury suffered by Rob Lainton.

Barnet have struggled in front of goal recently, largely due to the absence of Nicke Kabamba, who has scored 19 National League goals this season, and the striker is likely to miss out again, with David Moyo set to keep his place in the side.

Dominic Revan has been in and out of the side as of late, being brought off at half time in the recent trip to Maidstone, and Sam Beard could instead get the nod at left-back.

Barnet possible starting lineup:
Walker; Wynter, Potter, Collinge, Beard; Armstrong, De Havilland, Pritchard, Powell; Moyo, Kanu

Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Foster; Tozer, O'Connell, Mendy, O'Connor; Barnett, Jones, Lee, Cannon; Mullin, Dalby

We say: Barnet 0-2 Wrexham

Barnet's form has fallen off a cliff at the crucial stage of the season, while Wrexham head into the match full of confidence, after the sensational 3-2 victory against Notts County in the last match.

Parkinson will need to make sure his players know that nothing has been won yet, even though promotion is looking very likely, and if they keep their heads, they should be able to record a comfortable victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Dominic Lund

Previews by email