As the end of the League Two season nears, one of the sides tipped for automatics at the start of the year, and one of the sides who arrived from League One due to their relegation last season, face off.
Wrexham were understandably heavily tipped for back-to-back promotions this season, yet it has not been plain sailing. The Welsh side do currently sit in the top three, however, with only five points separating top and fifth, it is still all to play for.
Their home form throughout the season has been exceptional, seeing Phil Parkinson’s men top the table on home record, however, their away form is mid-table at best, only picking up five wins from 18 matches.
Morecambe are the side that host Wrexham this weekend, and there is something in this for both sides. The home side currently sit eighth in the league, only outside of the playoff places on goal difference to Walsall, who have been in fine form recently. The Shrimps have hardly been disappointing themselves in recent matches, as they are on a run which has seen them win their last two, one against promotion hopefuls Crewe Alexandra.
A win here could propel them above the Saddlers, as well as potentially overtake fellow north-east outfit Barrow, who only sit two points above them in sixth. An away victory could see Wrexham close the gap on league leaders Mansfield Town, as well as cement their spot in the automatic promotion places.
Here is how two of The Real EFL’s writing team see it going…
Charlie Beeston
“I’ve lost count of how many predictions we have done on The Real EFL now, but this genuinely may be one of the hardest to call. At first glance, third vs seventh, you may be inclined to go with the team higher up, right? Well no. Morecambe are at home, and Wrexham’s away form leaves a lot to be desired. Add that on to recent form, both have only won two in their last five against a variety of opposition.
“The form-book doesn’t look like it’s going to help us here, therefore it is best to look at playstyles. Wrexham are a strong attacking outfit, without sacrificing defensive solidity too much, evidenced by their strong record of shots against. Morecambe on the other hand typically don’t create many chances but are clinical with the ones they do.
That is how I see this going, a tight affair where both sides score, the home side actually having less of the chances, but doing better with them, with the Welsh club peppering the home goal only to find keeper Archie Mair in their way too often.”
Morecambe 2-1 Wrexham
Ivan Newsome
“The League Two title race, let alone the automatic promotion race, is still wide open and Wrexham are well in the hunt. After Mansfield lost to MK Dons on Tuesday night, which was their game in hand, they sit just three points ahead of Stockport in second and Wrexham in third. With Crewe and MK Dons just a further two points behind, the race is hotting up and the Red Dragons do find themselves in a good position.
Having not won any of their last three, Phil Parkinson’s side put four past Accrington last week in an incredibly dominant performance and if able to find the same level here, they should breeze to victory. Morecambe however are by no means a pushover and will be looking to cause an upset at home.
Only out of the playoffs on goal difference in an ultra-competitive mid-pack, three points here for the Shrimps would go a long way. The problem for them is they’re playing Wrexham at the wrong time off of the back of a thumping victory.
Although that performance against Accrington may not be backed up, the odds speak favourably in the away sides’ favour, and that’s the way I’m leaning.
Morecambe 2-3 Wrexham
