Wrexham may be playing away from home, but the mood is celebratory for manager Phil Parkinson and the Dragons as they have already secured their promotion to the Championship for the upcoming season. This marks Parkinson`s third consecutive promotion with the team, bringing them one step closer to the Premier League, although the jump from the Championship is widely considered significantly more difficult than their previous promotions.
Following each promotion, Wrexham has increased its spending, allowing the team to adapt and strengthen its squad as they climb the leagues. With key players like Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer seeing less pitch time this season, the lineup for the final match will be interesting to watch. This game could provide an opportunity to acknowledge some of the players who were instrumental in getting the team to this point over the past four years. Regardless of the selection, the match in Lincolnshire is set to be a joyful occasion.
Match Information: Lincoln City vs. Wrexham
- Date: Saturday, May 3 | Time: 10 a.m. ET
- Location: LNER Stadium — Lincoln, Lincolnshire
- Live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Lincoln City +180; Draw +225; Wrexham +135
Previous Encounter
These two sides last met in November at the Racecourse Ground, where Lincoln City put up a strong fight before ultimately losing 1-0. The match was closely contested in most aspects, with a single own goal being the difference. Wrexham secured the crucial three points for their promotion campaign when midfielder Tendayi Darikwa conceded the own goal in the 67th minute.
Coach`s Comments
Addressing speculation regarding the futures of players like Palmer and Mullin, manager Parkinson clarified the situation for now. He emphasized that every player has contributed to the team`s success, regardless of their playing time, acknowledging that some players would naturally prefer to play more. Parkinson stated, “Mulls and Ollie will always be legends at this club for what they`ve done. They`re under contract next year and they`ll be back in preseason ready to go again.” Given that a back injury impacted Mullin`s season start, it makes sense for Wrexham to see if he can regain his top form during preseason. Having scored 24 or more goals in three consecutive seasons before reaching League One, Wrexham recognizes the value he brings, as prolific goalscorers are hard to find.
Wrexham`s Premier League Ambitions: Looking Ahead
While the focus for now is celebrating promotion to the Championship, it`s natural to consider future prospects, although the path to the Premier League presents significant challenges. Most of Wrexham`s core players are currently aged 30 or older, with exceptions including Max Cleworth, Thomas O`Connor, and Lewis Burnt. This suggests that a substantial squad overhaul may be necessary for their upward trajectory to continue.
This situation isn`t surprising for a team climbing from non-league football; it`s rare for a squad to make the entire journey from the National League to the Premier League with minimal changes. Investment will be crucial, but being in the Championship offers Wrexham the opportunity to utilize strategic loan deals to build their roster without excessive spending on permanent signings. It`s acknowledged that it will be a long and challenging journey, with the primary goal for their first season in the Championship being survival and establishing stability in the division before planning further.
Expected Team Lineups
Lincoln City: George Wickens, Sean Roughan, Adam Jackson, Paudie O`Connor, Tendayi Darikwa, Ethan Erhahon, Erik Ring, Ben House, Ethan Hamilton, Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, James Collins
Wrexham: Arthur Okonkwo, Dan Scarr, Max Cleworth, Eoghan O`Connell, Ryan Barnett, Elliott Lee, Mattie James, Oliver Rathbone, James McLean, Sam Smith, Paul Mullin
Match Prediction
Bringing the promotion party atmosphere on their travels and potentially featuring players who were key to their ascent, Wrexham is expected to secure a victory. A goal from their influential striker, Paul Mullin, could seal the win. Despite a challenging season for the forward, he has the capability to deliver when it counts, helping the Dragons conclude their season on a high note.
Predicted Score: Lincoln City 1, Wrexham 2
