3 Wrexham vs Ipswich Town player battles that can decide the outcome of tonight’s FA Cup 4th round tie at the Racecourse.
The FA Cup night has arrived again at the Racecourse. Wrexham are playing Championship rivals Ipswich Town at home and the goal is as crystal clear as ever. Take a win over Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich and get to the last 16 of the FA Cup.
Plus, there is another subplot building up regarding the two teams viewing this game as a blueprint for the Championship showdown exactly one week from today. Winning both games will be a praiseworthy effort from Phil Parkinson’s men.
Still, if Reds fans were to given a wish they will rather want to beat Ipswich Town in the FA Cup than in the league. Regardless, there are 3 Wrexham vs Ipswich Town player battles that can decide tonight’s FA Cup tie for Wrexham.
3 Wrexham vs Ipswich Town player battles
1. Anis Mehmeti vs Ollie Rathbone
Wrexham fans are no strangers to watching Ollie Rathbone step up when the Reds need him the most. He scored the 2-0 goal vs Nottingham Forest that gave more control to Phil Parkinson’s men in the FA Cup 3rd round win. That said, the 29-year-old will be expected to share the goalscoring burden here.
From Ipswich Town, their summer signing Marcelinho Nunez assumes that playmaker role on a daily basis. Thankfully for Wrexham, Nunez won’t be in action as their boss Kieran McKenna confirmed to East Anglian Daily Times. Without Nunez, the Tractor Boys will most likely turn to winter signing Anis Mehmeti.
READ MORE: Ex-Wrexham captain says what fans were thinking about Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin
READ MORE: Sam Smith’s poor Wrexham luck continues with PFA January POTM setback
READ MORE: EFL announcement will make Phil Parkinson regret Norwich City defeat again
The former Bristol City attacking midfielder has lit the ongoing Championship season with 15 goal contributions. These figures speak how difficult it will be for the Red Dragons to contain him throughout the evening. If Wrexham can do this and Ollie Rathbone arrives on the scoresheet, the tie will be half won there itself.
2. George Hirst vs Sam Smith
Both Wrexham and Ipswich Town have largely shared the attacking responsibilities across the squad across the 2025/26 season. There’s no clear cut front 3 at both clubs. Forget that, the striker position will alone be a big question mark from both sides before the kickoff whistle.
Ipswich Town have turned to Ivan Azon, Chuba Akpom, loaned striker Sammie Szmodics before but none have performed better than George Hirst up top. With 6 strikes, Hirst seems to be McKenna’s starting striker to face Wrexham. Phil Parkinson has a relatively tougher choice between Kieffer Moore and Sam Smith.
Considering Smith’s recent form and Moore starting against Millwall last week, it could be Sam Smith’s day to enjoy the full 90 minutes. Hopefully, it will be slightly better than his Nottingham Forest outing where Smith was brilliant with his movement but lacked sharpness inside the box.
READ MORE: Ex-Wrexham captain says what fans were thinking about Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin
READ MORE: Sam Smith’s poor Wrexham luck continues with PFA January POTM setback
READ MORE: EFL announcement will make Phil Parkinson regret Norwich City defeat again
All in all, Wrexham fans will back Smith to settle this George Hirst battle in the Reds favour.
3. Darnell Furlong vs Issa Kabore
With Liberato Cacace and Nathan Broadhead missing out vs Ipswich Town, the majority of Wrexham’s chance creation will have to flow through the right wing. That makes Issa Kabore an essential wingback outlet for today’s evening. At Millwall, Kabore only kept putting crosses and didn’t try for other passing options.
This can be a costly mistake against Ipswich Town. The visitors right-back Darnell Furlong has developed a Championship reputation for physicality and playmaking. He will be at hand to guide Ipswich Town’s attacks from the right flank, which Kabore will also be asked to do.
Can Kabore outperform Furlong’s defensive input? Most likely, No. But bettering Furlong in attack should be the aim at the back of Kabore’s mind. Let’s hope he succeeds and bags an assist to keep Wrexham alive in the FA Cup.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- EFL announcement will make Phil Parkinson regret Norwich City defeat again
- Ex-Wrexham captain says what fans were thinking about Elliot Lee and Paul Mullin
- Latest EFL plan spells trouble for Wrexham’s Premier League promotion hopes
- ‘Manage’ – Phil Parkinson rings good news for Wrexham but at FA Cup risk
- Sam Smith’s poor Wrexham luck continues with PFA January POTM setback
