Wrexham look to stretch their unbeaten run over Preston

Wrexham have taken one win from their last five Championship matches, a modest return that has left them 17th with 11 points from 10 games. Their problems have been at both ends: five goals scored and 11 conceded in that spell.

Preston’s struggle at the foot of the table

Saturday’s visitors are in a far deeper hole. Preston sit bottom of the 24-team table on four points, with a goal difference of minus 12. They have lost four of their last five, and their away record tells its own story: no wins on the road this season, and eight defeats in ten away matches.

Wrexham’s late-goal problem

A pattern runs through Wrexham’s season. Six of the 15 goals they have conceded have come between the 76th and 90th minutes, and they have struggled to hold leads late on. Preston have a similar issue, shipping eight of their 20 goals against in that closing spell.

Wrexham hold the upper hand

The recent history favours the home side. Wrexham have been unbeaten in their last three meetings with Preston:

• Preston 2-3 Wrexham (League Cup, August)
• Preston 1-1 Wrexham (Championship, December)
• Wrexham 2-1 Preston (Championship, December)

Two wins and a draw is a useful record, and Wrexham will be keen to keep it going at home.

Team news

Wrexham will be without Broadhead, Cacace, Cleworth, Sheaf and Thomason, all sidelined by injury. James and Revan are doubts.

Preston face their own selection headaches. Mills is suspended after a red card, while McCann and Potts are out injured. Carroll is a doubt with an ankle problem, and Clarke, Kenny and Wiley also carry question marks.

Our prediction

Wrexham 2-1 Preston

Wrexham have the better of this fixture and the stronger home record, and Preston have yet to win away this season. The hosts’ habit of conceding late could make the final minutes uncomfortable, but their attack is likely to be enough to edge a tight match.