PREVIEW: Wrexham host Southampton in season defining clash
PREVIEW: Wrexham host Southampton in season defining clash The Championship play-off race is as intriguing as ever this season, and tonight will see either Wrexham or Southampton take a huge step towards confirming their spot in the top six. Southampton currently occupy 7th place and are riding the wave of a magnificent 15-game unbeaten run, which most recently ended Arsenal’s FA Cup hopes when the Saints beat them 2-1 in the quarter-final on Saturday night. Meanwhile, this evening’s hosts, Wrexham, are one point ahead of Southampton, in 6th place, although Tonda Eckert’s men do have a game in hand over the side from North Wales.
The Red Dragons have been inconsistent recently, having won twice, lost twice and drawn once in their last five league outings. Wrexham’s rise has been well documented over the past four years, with Phil Parkinson guiding the side to three consecutive promotions under the ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. However, a loss tonight could put their dreams of a fourth promotion this season in serious jeopardy.
It’s been a different story for Southampton in recent years, with the club dropping out of the top flight twice and winning promotion back via the play-offs the first time around. They’ll certainly be hoping to do the same this time around. The Saints’ season looked dead and buried back in November when Will Still had them sitting 21st in the table; however, Eckert has done a magnificent job since his appointment.
The German has taken charge of 30 games for the South Coast side, winning 19 and losing just five, which has, of course, seen them fly up the Championship table and secure their spot at Wembley for the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City later this month. Eckert spoke with Sky Sports earlier this week, saying, “Once you lose the belief, you’re done, but we always had confidence in each other. You always find that belief and that trust in the boys.
” Parkinson has also spoken with the media ahead of this crucial clash for his side, “It’s a massive game for us, but I think at this stage of the season it’s hard to say one game is harder than the next because everybody’s fighting for something. With Southampton’s resurgence, it’s got a special feel to it, and we’ll be ready for it come Tuesday night. ” The game will take place this evening, Tuesday, April 7th, and kick-off is scheduled for 8pm (UK time)