Credit - WrexhamAFC.co.uk
Ipswich Town are flying and most pundits have already written off Wrexham’s chances at Portman Road on Saturday. That might be a mistake.
The Tractor Boys are unbeaten in four Championship matches and have taken 10 points from a possible 12 heading into this fixture. They sit seventh in the table, just two points off the play-off places, and their 4-1 demolition of Swansea City before the international break showed exactly why Kieran McKenna’s side are fancied for promotion.
Wrexham, however, are not the pushovers some expect. Phil Parkinson’s men are unbeaten in five league games and have quietly built one of the most impressive away defensive records in the division. The Red Dragons are 13th, but only two points separate them from Ipswich. This is closer than it looks.
Wrexham’s Away Record Is Being Overlooked
The numbers tell a clear story. Wrexham have conceded just seven times in as many away league games this season. That is one of the best records in the Championship and suggests a team that knows how to dig in on the road.
They also make opponents work for every chance. In eight of their last nine games across all competitions, Wrexham have forced the opposing goalkeeper into three or more saves. That is not the profile of a side that sits back and hopes for the best. They create opportunities while remaining difficult to break down.
George Dobson is central to this. The midfielder has made 43 tackles this season, more than any other player in the Championship. His ability to disrupt play in the middle of the park could be crucial against an Ipswich side that likes to dominate possession and build through central areas.
Issa Kabore’s six-week absence with a hamstring injury is a blow, but Wrexham’s defensive structure does not rely on one player. Ryan Barnett offers a capable replacement at wing-back, and the spine of the team remains intact.
Why a Draw Looks the Smart Call
Ipswich are undeniably dangerous. They average 16.1 shots per game, the second-highest figure in the division, and have registered 158 total shots this season. Their 26 goals put them behind only Coventry in the scoring charts.
Yet there is evidence they do not always convert their dominance into results. Both Ipswich and Wrexham have hit the woodwork seven times this season, a sign that finishing has let them down on occasion. The Tractor Boys create volume, but volume alone does not guarantee goals against organised defences.
Wrexham also carry a threat on the counter. Josh Windass has five goals and three assists in 12 league appearances and scored the late penalty winner against Charlton Athletic before the break. If Ipswich commit numbers forward, Windass has the quality to punish them.
This is the first league meeting between these clubs, with their only previous competitive fixture a 1994-95 FA Cup tie that Wrexham won 2-1. History offers little guidance, but the current form and statistics suggest a tight contest.
Ipswich will have more of the ball and more of the chances. Wrexham will defend deep, stay compact, and look to hit on the break. The most likely outcome is a hard-fought 1-1 draw that leaves both managers satisfied but not thrilled. Parkinson’s side are built for exactly this kind of battle, and they will not be bullied at Portman Road.
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