Wrexham hasn`t played in the second tier of English football since 1982, but they are now very close to promotion as the League One season nears its end. However, their fate is not entirely in their hands after drawing 2-2 with Cambridge United. This draw came on a night when their rivals missed an opportunity to give Wrexham control of the promotion race.
Phil Parkinson`s team currently sits second in the league table with six games remaining. Birmingham City leads the league and seems set for the Championship, being 11 points ahead of Wrexham with two games in hand. The fight for the second automatic promotion spot is shaping up to be very competitive.
Wycombe Wanderers control their own destiny, even after failing to score against Shrewsbury Town despite 30 shots, settling for a draw. Meanwhile, Charlton Athletic and Stockport County both made progress on Tuesday, setting up an exciting finish to the season on May 3rd.
League One Automatic Promotion Standings
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal Difference | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | 39 | 28 | 8 | 3 | 43 | 92 |
| 2 | Wrexham | 41 | 24 | 9 | 8 | 27 | 81 |
| 3 | Wycombe | 40 | 21 | 12 | 7 | 28 | 75 |
| 4 | Stockport | 41 | 21 | 11 | 9 | 24 | 74 |
| 5 | Charlton | 41 | 21 | 10 | 10 | 19 | 73 |
| 6 | Bolton | 40 | 20 | 6 | 14 | 5 | 66 |
The top two teams gain automatic promotion to the Championship. Teams in third to sixth place will compete in playoffs: a two-legged semifinal and a final at Wembley on May 25th.
Wrexham`s Upcoming Matches
- April 5: Wrexham 3, Burton 0
- April 12: Wigan (Away)
- April 18: Bristol Rovers (Home)
- April 21: Blackpool (Away)
- April 26: Charlton (Home)
- May 3: Lincoln (Away)
What Wrexham Needs for Promotion
Wrexham cannot guarantee automatic promotion. If Wycombe wins all their remaining seven games, Wrexham would need to match that winning streak just to tie on points. Goal difference would then be the deciding factor, where Wycombe currently has a five-goal advantage and has also scored more goals overall.
However, such consistent winning is unlikely. The promotion race may hinge on key matches for both teams. Wrexham`s games against Burton Albion and Bristol Rovers should be easier based on their league positions. Yet, at this point in the season, facing teams fighting relegation can be very challenging.
A crucial period for Wycombe and Wrexham is in late April, when Charlton plays both teams within five days. Charlton`s results in these games could significantly impact the promotion race. Winning both could put Charlton firmly into promotion contention.
Wrexham`s Rapid Ascent
If Wrexham secures promotion, it would be their third promotion in three seasons. They returned to the English Football League in 2022-23 after 15 years, followed by promotion from League Two in second place.
Other English teams have had three consecutive promotions, and some even more, but none have risen so quickly through the higher levels of the English football pyramid. For example, FC United of Manchester had three promotions after being founded in 2005, but they reached the seventh level of the pyramid.
Wrexham`s challenge is at a higher level as they aim for the second tier. The National League and Leagues Two and One are all professional leagues. Wrexham`s ownership by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has provided financial strength at each level. This raises the question of their Championship prospects.
Can Wrexham Compete in the Championship?
Looking beyond Championship promotion to the Premier League, consecutive promotions from League One to the top tier are rare, usually achieved by major English clubs. While Wrexham has gained a large global fanbase, the Championship is financially demanding.
Wrexham`s League Two wage bill exceeded $14 million annually, and it has likely increased with signings like Jay Rodriguez and Matty James. Despite rising salaries, even a wealthy promoted club might spend significantly less than the richest Championship clubs. Wrexham director Humprey Ker suggested their salary spending might need to quadruple to remain competitive after promotion.
Underlying statistics suggest Wrexham might face challenges in the Championship. They have scored 56 goals from 48.1 expected goals (xG) and conceded 32 goals from 42.4 xG against. While second in League One, they rank ninth in non-penalty xG difference.
This data may not strongly indicate immediate Championship success, or even guaranteed promotion from League One. However, Wrexham has consistently risen to challenges since 2020. If promoted, they are expected to invest Championship revenue to maintain their position.
