A look at Wrexham’s possible starting XI for when the Reds take an away trip to Watford for the rescheduled matchday.
After a series of fixtures at the Racecourse, Wrexham are back on the road to face Watford in a rescheduled matchday. The Reds enter the game on the back of a dominant 2‑0 win in the Welsh derby and will look to carry that momentum forward.
Wrexham have won five out of their six away games this year. A victory against Watford could do the Reds a world of good by piling pressure on playoff rivals Southampton before they face an in-form Norwich side the following day.
While Watford have had their struggles recently, Wrexham will want to go all-in with their best set of players for the away clash. On that note, here’s a look at how Phil Parkinson might set up his starting XI for the game.
GK: Arthur Okonkwo
Okonkwo was Wrexham’s biggest difference maker, delivering a Man of the Match display in the Welsh derby. Although backup keeper Danny Ward has earned a call-up to Wales’ World Cup qualifier squad, he can’t dislodge Okonkwo from Parkinson’s starting XI.
CB: Callum Doyle
Doyle has been shining for Wrexham on all fronts in recent games. Beyond his trademark reliability of being rock-solid at the back, Doyle has started stacking up goal contributions despite being a centre-back.
The Watford game comes as a full-circle moment for Doyle. Notably, this was the game in the first half of the season from which he’s made it into every starting XI for Wrexham since.
CB: Dom Hyam
Wrexham captain Dom Hyam delivered a masterclass in professionalism by finishing the Welsh derby despite feeling ill at half-time. With four days of rest since, he should be fit to lead the side in another decisive clash.
CB: Max Cleworth
Cleworth looked back to his usual best against Swansea and is finally growing back in confidence after a series of inconsistent displays.
Notably, the academy graduate completed his 150th milestone league appearance for Wrexham in the Welsh derby, and Parky wouldn’t hesitate to hand him another start against Watford.
LWB: George Thomason
George Thomason has been ever‑electric for Wrexham and forms a brilliant partnership with Doyle on the left wing. Given his form, it will be extremely difficult for even specialist full‑back Libby Cacace to displace him, let alone in Cacace’s absence, where Thomason is a surefire starter for Wrexham.
READ MORE: ‘Extra day’s rest’ – Wrexham fans react to EFL’s Southampton match announcement
READ MORE: ’80-85%’ – Wrexham must see scary bigger picture after Kieffer Moore’s injury
READ MORE: Latest Andy Robertson to Celtic transfer update will impact Wrexham
CM: Zak Vyner
Vyner was the biggest surprise in Wrexham’s dominant 2‑0 derby win. The makeshift midfielder stepped up in a big way after a disastrous first start against Hull City.
Following his heroics against Swansea, Phil Parkinson will want to show full confidence in him for the Watford clash.
CM: Lewis O’Brien
Lewis O’Brien has been Wrexham’s most consistent presence in central midfield throughout the injury crisis. Given that he was unavailable for the reverse fixture against Watford earlier this season, he’ll be eager to remind the Hornets of his quality this time around.
RWB: Issa Kabore
Kabore has grown leaps and bounds as an all-around fullback recently. While he has always been a threat driving forward, he has now sharpened his defensive game significantly.
It’s no coincidence that Wrexham are unbeaten in their last five games with Kabore in the starting XI, and Parky would expect another decisive performance from him this evening.
CAM: Josh Windass
Josh Windass scored in the reverse fixture at the Racecourse in a 2‑2 draw with Watford. After featuring only as a late substitute in the recent Welsh derby, it seems Parkinson is saving him for a start against the Hornets, with injuries piling up at Wrexham.
Why else give Windass just half an hour against Swansea while using only two substitutions all game? The signs point to a bigger role for Josh Windass tonight.
CAM: Nathan Broadhead
With two goals in his last two games, Nathan Broadhead ought to be an undisputable starter against Watford. Yet despite his consistent threat up front, it remains to be seen if a start tonight would mark the first time he has ever started five consecutive league games for Wrexham.
ST: Sam Smith
Despite the growing fitness concerns due to Kieffer Moore’s injury, Sam Smith has played almost the entirety of regulation time in the last two games.
With a four‑day gap since his last outing, Smith should be able to lead the line until around the hour mark. After that, Bailey Cadamarteri could be called upon to replace him once again.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- ‘Extra day’s rest’ – Wrexham fans react to EFL’s Southampton match announcement
- ’80-85%’ – Wrexham must see scary bigger picture after Kieffer Moore’s injury
- Latest Andy Robertson to Celtic transfer update will impact Wrexham
- Liverpool legend is adamant Wrexham will do better than 3 current PL clubs
- Rob Mac can’t wait for Wrexham’s 2026 friendly game (it’s not Liverpool)
