The predicted Wrexham lineup boss Phil Parkinson can name to face Preston North End at the Racecourse ground for the final game of 2025.
Phil Parkinson’s tactical shift from a midfield heavy 3-5-2 formation to a 3-4-3 one worked like a charm against Sheffield United. Wrexham did look disorganized inside their own box, but concluding the final 60 minutes of the game without giving away goals builds a strong confidence for Preston North End.
In December alone, Wrexham restricted tonight’s visitors from scoring for a commendable 81 minutes. A slight improvement to that resilience can lay down the foundation for a decent 1-0 win.
Listen, I get it, Wrexham can of course score more than a goal but here’s the tough part. Preston has conceded exactly 23 goals in the first 23 league fixtures, hence, smashing two goals beyond their net will take some doing on the Red Dragons part.
Consequently, Wrexham milestone chasing Arthur Okonkwo needs to get a strong backing from the defence to ensure how much the attack scores remains enough for claiming all three points.
Knowing these challenges, below is the predicted Wrexham lineup head coach Phil Parkinson can name to face Preston North End.
Predicted Wrexham lineup vs Preston North End
Goalkeeper: Arthur Okonkwo
It’s the hundredth Wrexham game for Arthur Okonkwo and an occasion like this demands a heroic Championship performance. The days when Wrexham conceded at most one goal seem to be long gone, still Parky must believe in Okonkwo to rise up to the challenge.
Centre Back: Callum Doyle
The question of being the best defender automatically fades away when a team ships 3 goals into their net. Still, Doyle was the best of the three Wrexham centre backs and Parkinson shouldn’t hesitate to order him to mark the returning Milutin Osmajic.
Centre Back: Max Cleworth
Max Cleworth’s commitment to Wrexham’s cause is never a matter of discussion, whether it’s League One or the Championship. Tonight, Cleworth needs to partner Doyle and Hyam well as even a single lost aerial duel can dent the winning hopes over Preston.
Centre Back: Dominic Hyam
Hyam is sitting in hot waters for a lengthy time now. His mistakes and positioning flaws have cost Wrexham a ton of goals across December, still I am including Hyam in the predicted eleven solely because Dan Scarr and Conor Coady remain the next centre back options in the squad.
Left Wing Back: George Thomason
Thomason will be Wrexham’s biggest one to watch out for, all thanks to a sublime Sheffield United display.
Defensive Midfield: George Dobson
Hear me out, Matty James is a class act no doubt. Still, clocking two full 90 minutes within three days might risk an injury for James being a 34 year old midfielder already.
Hence, Parkinson should pick George Dobson to add more physicality and intensity to the four man midfield.
Defensive Midfield: Ben Sheaf
The EFL Championship Team of the Week gave Sheaf his flowers for controlling the Sheffield United game lying at the base of the midfield. Preston North End are a disciplined bunch in the middle of the park, and Sheaf’s possession winning usefulness will be needed again.
Right Wing Back: Ryan Longman
Longman does not appear as a major attacking outlet in Wrexham’s lineup but fulfills the role quite well. A goal contribution tonight can further cement his right flank position in Parkinson’s mind even when Issa Kabore returns.
Left Winger: Nathan Broadhead
In the reverse trip to Deepdale, Wrexham relied on James McClean’s swinging crosses to search for goals from the left hand side. Consequently, Broadhead had to drop down to midfield there which isn’t his familiar position.
This is the only plus point of McClean’s suspension that Parky has got nobody better than Broadhead as a left winger. Let’s see, if the 27 year old gets some scoring opportunities on this occasion.
Striker: Kieffer Moore
Back to back Braces for tall man Kieffer Moore can leave him in the lead for the EFL Championship top goalscorer. For this reason alone, Parkinson shouldn’t even imagine denying the Welshman of a single minute against Preston.
Right Winger: Josh Windass
Josh Windass as a right winger seems an idea bound to fail on paper. Yet, in front of Sheffield United Windass mainly operated closer to Moore as a centre forward and Wrexham got the desired impact with a goal and an assisted own goal.
