Preview:Salford City vs. Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

Salford City will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run to five league games when they host Wrexham on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will be hoping to bounce back from defeat to Newport County when they last competed in League Two.

Match preview

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Salford's growing relegation fears have been eased since appointing Karl Robinson as their new manager in early January, with the former Oxford United boss remaining unbeaten with eight points from his opening four games.

After drawing 2-2 against potential relegation rivals Forest Green Rovers in his first game in charge, Salford have had three away games on the spin, making their return of seven points from trips to Crawley Town, Bradford City and Crewe Alexandra all the more impressive.

To come from 2-1 behind at half-time away to Crewe - who comfortably remain inside the playoff spots despite their defeat - was an excellent achievement last weekend. Matt Smith was on target once again to bag a hat-trick, saving his winner for five minutes from the end of normal time at Gresty Road.

Robinson's second victory at his new club moved the Ammies 10 points clear of the relegation zone, meaning they can already begin to think about building for promotion next season after losing in the playoff semi-finals last time out. Their clash against automatic promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Saturday will provide an excellent test of Salford's progress under Robinson so far.

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Indeed, despite losing to Newport in their last league match before not being involved in League Two duties last weekend due to their FA Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers, Wrexham have remained in second spot.

Phil Parkinson's side were hugely up against it to claim a positive result away to fellow Welsh outfit Newport as soon as William Boyle was dismissed after just 18 minutes, with the hosts making their numerical advantage count when Seb Palmer-Houlden opened the scoring 16 minutes later. Newport dominated thereafter, comfortably holding onto their 1-0 lead.

Wrexham took their own lead away to Championship side Blackburn on Monday evening through Andy Cannon's superb effort, but Rovers fought back to cruise to a 4-1 victory in the end. Sammie Szmodics scored a brace either side of Sam Gallagher's strike, with Sondre Tronstad sealing his side's progression to the fifth round after the break.

Wrexham can now solely focus on achieving back-to-back promotions, having come up via the National League playoffs last season. Having played fewer games than all of the sides around them in the table, Parkinson and his players will be confident of completing the task at hand, even if they will be expecting an extremely tough match against a rejuvenated side this weekend.

Team News

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After winning away to one of the strongest teams in League Two so far this season, Robinson is unlikely to make any changes against another high-flying opponent.

As such, Callum Hendry may have to settle for appearing from the bench once again, with Smith only two goals away from reaching 20 league goals for the campaign.

Wrexham, meanwhile, are still sweating on the fitness of Steven Fletcher; the former Burnley striker has missed his side's recent defeats, having scored four goals across two league games in the first half of January.

Jacob Mendy returned from the bench away to Blackburn and may be in line for a start, while Ollie Palmer could join Paul Mullin in attack if Fletcher is ruled out as expected.

Salford City possible starting lineup: Cairns; John, Vassell, Tilt, Garbutt; Watson, Watt, Luamba; Bolton, Smith, McAleny

Wrexham possible starting lineup: Okonkwo; Cleworth, Tozer, O'Connell; Mendy, Cannon, Evans, Lee, McClean; Palmer, Mullin

We say: Salford City 2-2 Wrexham

Salford have performed to the level their budget and individual qualities demand since Robinson was appointed last month, while Wrexham are still flying high towards the top of the table despite a couple of poor results in all competitions.

As such, we expect to see a decent game play out in Greater Manchester on Saturday, and both teams may settle for a point in the end. In Smith and Mullin, those in attendance at the Peninsula Stadium will witness two of the best strikers in the division.

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