Wrexham play host to Grimsby Town on Saturday afternoon looking to move to within one victory of earning promotion back to the EFL.

However, Grimsby head into the National League playoff semi-final in the greater form having edged out Notts County in the quarter-finals earlier this week.

Match preview

When Wrexham produced a dominant performance to see off eventual champions Stockport County earlier this month, many were tipping the Welsh side to achieve a league and cup double.

However, since May 8, the Dragons have been thoroughly outplayed by Dagenham & Redbridge on the final day of the campaign, leaving them to settle for second spot, and lost the FA Trophy final to Bromley.

Such has been the focus on promotion that the Wembley showpiece was played down to a certain degree, but Phil Parkinson cannot be happy with how his team have performed over their last 180 minutes.

Overall, they have won just four times in nine matches since the middle of April, hardly the form of promotion hopefuls, and there is no doubt that the stakes have been significantly raised ahead of this contest.

On a positive note, Wrexham have not suffered defeat at the Racecourse Ground since the end of November, with one of their victories since then being against Grimsby by a 1-0 scoreline.

Nevertheless, that will only add as further motivation for the Mariners, who will want to upset the applecart at the celebrity-owned club just like they did against higher-profile hosts Notts County earlier this week.

Paul Hurst's team appeared to be heading out of the playoffs when they entered added-on time trailing by a 1-0 scoreline, but a last-gasp equaliser from Gavan Holohan was followed by a 119th-minute extra-time winner from Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.

Having been on the receiving end of an unlikely comeback in their final league game at Eastleigh, it was an impressive show of character from Grimsby who will have no fear heading into this contest.

While much will be made of Wrexham's home form, Grimsby have not suffered defeat away from Blundell Park since March 8, a streak lasting eight games.

Team News

Parkinson will likely consider making two changes to his Wrexham XI with Thomas O'Connor and Liam McAlinden potentially dropping out of the side.

That would allow Tyler French to be restored to the back three, and Reece Hall-Johnson return to the side at right wing-back.

The remainder of the side should stay the same with Parkinson expected to be against making too many alterations.

Despite having gone to extra time earlier this week, Grimsby will be relatively fresh with the majority of the players involved having been rested for the final game of the season.

Hurst will likely opt for the same side from the Notts County game, but Dieseruvwe's dramatic goal, as well as his hat-trick versus Eastleigh, puts him in contention to replace Ryan Taylor in attack.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Dibble; French, Cleworth, Tozer; Hall-Johnson, Davies, Young, Jones, McFadzean; Mullin, Palmer

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Cropper, Waterfall, Smith, Amos; Holohan, Fox; Sousa, McAtee, Clifton; Dieseruvwe

We say: Wrexham 2-1 Grimsby Town

While Wrexham have had the greater rest ahead of this contest, all of the momentum is with the visitors, who will relish the tag of underdogs. Nevertheless, we still expect the Welsh side to use their home advantage, potentially prevailing at the Racecourse Ground by the odd goal in three.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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