Wrexham fans express concern about Southampton’s blistering run after the Saints defeat league leaders Coventry in their own backyard.
The Championship promotion race is intensifying after matchday 38 wraps up. While this weekend’s matchday felt like a routine one, it has proven to be one of the most decisive ones so far in shaping the table.
Notably, this matchday saw a strange upheaval as only two top-six sides, Wrexham and Ipswich, emerged victorious with all three points. Factor in the results of other playoff contenders, and the standings are gradually aligning with Wrexham’s promotion hopes.
Most clubs in the playoff chase have seen their fortunes take a decisive turn. With Watford and Swansea losing, and Birmingham struggling for form, the battle for the final two playoff spots has narrowed to just four sides: Hull City, Wrexham, Southampton, and Derby County.
From Wrexham’s perspective, their Championship run-in only has Southampton left to face from these sides. What places additional weight on this clash is that these sides are separated by the finest of margins in the playoff race.
Wrexham and Southampton sit sixth and seventh in the Championship table with 60 and 57 points, respectively. The narrow gap has Wrexham fans anxious about their April showdown against the Saints, which could flip the current standings.
Wrexham fans concerned about Southampton’s magical run
Though Wrexham are in impressive form, they will be against the Championship’s most in-form side for the playoff decider. After their recent win over league leader Coventry, Southampton has extended its unbeaten streak to 10 league games.
One Wrexham fan expressed concern over Southampton’s ability to beat Coventry on their own turf. The fan mentioned, “Think we may overtake Hull but Southampton worry me. Especially after beating Cov away.”
The Championship table validates the chances of Wrexham overtaking Hull City. Given that the Tigers lost in the recent matchday, they lie just three points ahead of Wrexham with one more game played.
So, it’s very much possible for Wrexham to leapfrog Hull City. But if Southampton find their way into the playoffs, they could devastate Wrexham’s promotion dream, given they won a Wembley final as recently as two years ago.
READ MORE: Phil Parkinson lets out emotional Swansea claim every Wrexham fan will agree
READ MORE: ‘Redemption’ – Wrexham fans rally behind Arthur Okonkwo after 2-0 Swansea masterclass
READ MORE: Wrexham 2-0 Swansea: 3 best moments from Rob and Ryan’s commentary debut
Another Wrexham fan highlighted what’s at stake in the Southampton showdown. The fan mentioned, “All games are big, but that Easter Monday match v Southampton at home is HUGE!”
As a small clarification, Southampton’s sixth-round FA Cup progress will push their Wrexham game to a different date. While the clash might be rescheduled to a later date, the stakes of this de facto playoff decider remain unchanged.
Southampton are the only side that can leapfrog Wrexham to the playoffs irrespective of other results. This makes it a critical contest for Wrexham to keep the Saints far from the final playoff spot.
Wrexham Vs Southampton rematch can be poetic justice for fans
There’s no doubt that the early April clash between Wrexham and Southampton carries a risk for the Reds. One slip, and Southampton could leapfrog them with their better goal difference.
But while the downside threatens to derail Wrexham’s season-long progress, the upside could see them complete a memorable redemption against Southampton.
Though it’s been some time, fans would not have forgotten Wrexham’s first matchday in their Championship return this campaign. The Reds visited Southampton to kickstart their underdogs’ story and were the better side for most of the match.
However, two stoppage-time goals from the Saints ruined Wrexham’s dream start to life in the Championship.
This time, Wrexham have a golden opportunity to avenge Southampton for that stinging defeat. A win in the April playoff decider will very likely end Southampton’s playoff dreams in poetic justice at the Racecourse.
A key statistic fuels Wrexham’s belief even further. Before their win over Coventry, Southampton had never beaten a side that began the matchday in the Championship’s top six.
If Wrexham make the most of that pattern, the odds could finally tilt in their favour. The ball is in their court, and they’ll do everything to keep it there.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- Phil Parkinson lets out emotional Swansea claim every Wrexham fan will agree
- ‘Redemption’ – Wrexham fans rally behind Arthur Okonkwo after 2-0 Swansea masterclass
- Wrexham 2-0 Swansea: 3 best moments from Rob and Ryan’s commentary debut
- Wrexham predicted lineup vs Swansea City: 3 changes for Welsh derby
- ‘Will be back’ – Phil Parkinson names Wrexham star closest to injury return
