Preview: Maidenhead United vs. Wrexham – prediction, team news, lineups

National League leaders Wrexham will attempt to extend their unbeaten league run to 23 games when they travel to York Road to face Maidenhead United on Saturday.

The hosts, who currently occupy 14th place, are also enjoying an impressive run of form after winning their last three matches.

Match preview

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After enduring a run of one win in 11 league matches, Maidenhead have experienced an upturn in fortunes in recent games, having recorded three consecutive victories.

Maidenhead kept successive clean sheets in victories over Yeovil Town and Halifax Town, but they were forced to come from behind to claim all three points against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday.

Just after the half-hour mark, Ashley Nathaniel-George found the net to cancel out Sam Ling‘s opener, before Emile Acquah put Maidenhead in front just three minutes later.

As it proved, Alan Devonshire‘s charges held firm in the second half to claim a narrow victory, leaving the midtable side nine points clear of the relegation zone and 11 points adrift of the playoffs.

Although they were beaten 1-0 by Wrexham earlier this season, the Magpies have avoided defeat in their last three home meetings with Saturday’s opponents.

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Wrexham, meanwhile, claimed their fourth consecutive league victory in midweek, securing a 2-1 home win over Chesterfield, thanks to goals from Elliot Lee and Sam Dalby.

As a result of the victory, the Welsh side replaced their promotion rivals Notts County at the top of the National League table.

Having moved ahead in the two-horse promotion race, Wrexham are hoping that this will be the year they end their 15-year exile from the Football League.

Since losing to Notts County on October 4, the Red Dragons have been in imperious form, recording 18 victories and four draws in 22 league matches.

Impressively, Phil Parkinson‘s side have won their last six away matches in the fifth tier, scoring at least two goals in all of those victories.

Maidenhead United National League form:

Maidenhead United National League form:

Wrexham National League form:

Team News

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Harry Panayiotou has featured as a substitute in Maidenhead’s last two matches after recently joining on loan from fellow National League side Aldershot Town.

The 28-year-old may have to wait patiently for his first Maidenhead start, though, with Devonshire set to name an unchanged lineup.

Acquah has top scored for the Magpies this season, and he will be looking to add to his 10-goal tally when he leads the line on Saturday.

As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Bryce Hosannah and Aaron Hayden due to injury issues.

Like their hosts, Wrexham could also opt for an unchanged XI, which would see Dalby continue his forward partnership with Paul Mullin, who is the second-highest scorer in the fifth tier with 27 league goals to his name.

After joining on loan from Solihull Moors, Ryan Barnett has been an unused substitute in Wrexham’s last two games, and he will be hoping he can finally make his debut off the bench on Saturday.

Maidenhead United possible starting lineup:
Andre; Asare, Massey, Odutayo, Smith; Barratt, Adams, Clerima, Ferdinand, Nathaniel-George; Acquah

Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Lainton; Cleworth, Tozer, Tunnicliffe; Forde, Young, Cannon, Lee, Mendy; Mullin, Dalby

We say: Maidenhead United 1-3 Wrexham

Alongside promotion rivals Notts County, the Red Dragons have been a level above the rest of the National League this season, and while Maidenhead enter Saturday’s encounter in promising form, we think they will fall short against a Wrexham side who are aiming for a seventh consecutive away victory in the league.

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

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