Wrexham heads to Fratton Park on Wednesday for a vital EFL Championship clash against Portsmouth. The matchup is crucial for both teams, as Wrexham seeks back-to-back wins while Portsmouth aims to break a streak of poor performances.
Match Previews: Portsmouth vs Wrexham
Portsmouth’s Struggles
Portsmouth currently sits in 20th place in the Championship standings. The team has recorded three wins, four draws, and six losses across 13 matches this season. John Mousinho’s squad has seen a significant downturn in form, winning only one of their last nine outings. Their last four games yielded just a single point following a victory over Middlesbrough in early October.
The team famously drew 1-1 with Leicester City before suffering consecutive home defeats against Coventry City and Stoke City. A dismal performance last weekend led to a 4-0 loss against Birmingham City, with three goals conceded in the second half. Defensively, Portsmouth has struggled, but their inability to score is more concerning. They have netted only 10 times this season, making them the league’s joint-lowest scorers.
Wrexham’s Recent Form
Wrexham enters this match in 15th place, having collected 17 points from 13 league games in their first season back in the second tier. The team rebounded from a loss to Cardiff City in the EFL Cup with a convincing 3-1 win over Coventry City on Friday. Wales international Kieffer Moore’s hat-trick marked a significant achievement, delivering Coventry their first league defeat of the season.
Wrexham’s form has been solid, with only one loss in their last eight league matches. However, they have yet to secure two consecutive victories in this campaign. Coach Phil Parkinson’s team will look to end a three-game winless streak away from home, seeking their first victory since a 3-2 win against Norwich City on September 20.
Injury Updates
- Portsmouth Injuries: Conor Shaughnessy, Jacob Farrell, Harvey Blair, and Franco Umeh are sidelined.
- Mousinho hopes to welcome back Nicolas Schmid, Adrian Segecic, and Callum Lang following the international break.
- Connor Ogilvie is expected to return to the lineup after missing the recent match against Birmingham.
- Wrexham Injuries: Danny Ward, Harry Ashfield, Aaron James, Jay Rodriguez, Elliot Lee, and Lewis Brunt are unavailable.
- Andy Cannon continues to recover from an ACL injury and will miss facing his former team.
- After an impressive hat-trick, Moore will lead Wrexham’s attack against Portsmouth.
Potential Lineups
Portsmouth Possible Starting XI:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Bursik |
| Defender | Swanson |
| Defender | Knight |
| Defender | Poole |
| Defender | Ogilvie |
| Midfielder | Pack |
| Midfielder | Dozzell |
| Midfielder | Yang |
| Midfielder | Chaplin |
| Midfielder | Murphy |
| Forward | Bishop |
Wrexham Possible Starting XI:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Okonkwo |
| Defender | Cleworth |
| Defender | Hyam |
| Defender | Scarr |
| Midfielder | Kabore |
| Midfielder | Sheaf |
| Midfielder | James |
| Midfielder | O’Brien |
| Midfielder | Cacace |
| Forward | Windass |
| Forward | Moore |
The upcoming match provides a critical opportunity for both teams to shift their trajectories in the Championship, with Wrexham eager to extend their momentum and Portsmouth seeking redemption.
