Preview: Scunthorpe United vs. Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

Wrexham travel to Scunthorpe United on Wednesday night, with the away side looking to extend their eight-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.

The hosts have struggled to adapt to life in the National League after suffering relegation from League Two in the 2021-22 season, and they are currently 20th in the table.

Match preview

Scunthorpe face a difficult test in their first competitive match against Wrexham since 2006, particularly considering that they have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions.

There has been a slight improvement since the Iron parted with former manager Keith Hill following a 2-0 defeat at home to Halifax Town at the end of August, but new boss Tony Daws will be hoping he can start to convert some of their draws into wins to move them up the table.

After a 2-0 defeat to Boreham Wood in Daws's first match, the Iron became much more difficult to beat and went on a six-game unbeaten run. However, in five of these matches the spoils were shared, barring a 3-2 home victory against Dorking Wanderers.

Even in victory, this result encapsulated Scunthorpe's main issue this season, which has been their defence, as they are yet to pick up a single clean sheet in all competitions this term.

This defensive fragility was on show in the Iron's last encounter, in which they fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Eastleigh, and Daws's side will be happy to be back on home soil, having not lost at Glanford Park since the beginning of September.

Wrexham, as expected, are mounting a title challenge this season, and they are currently in second place, just one point behind the league's leaders, Notts County.

Defeat against the Magpies at the beginning of October is the only loss Phil Parkinson's side have recorded in their last 17 league outings, during which time they have won every single one of their home games.

Last time out, the Welsh side capped off four-straight matches at the Racecourse Ground with a 3-0 victory against Oldham Athletic, booking their place in the second round of the FA Cup.

Despite such promising signs at home, one potential weakness that the Dragons will be keen to put right in the trip to Scunthorpe is their form on their travels, having won just one of their last five games away from home, including a 1-1 draw at Blyth Spartans.

The attacking prowess of Parkinson's men will be vital in securing an away win on Wednesday night, with a National League goal return of 47 being the highest of any team in the division, and more than twice as many as their opponents.

Team News

Scunthorpe have struggled so far this season, but one bright spark has been Joseph Nuttall, who has notched nine league goals, and he is set to feature again in attack, alongside Caolan Lavery.

Jacob Butterfield has been a consistent starter in the centre of midfield, so he is set to get the nod from Daws, as is Andrew Boyce, who has played the last four games in the centre of defence.

For Wrexham, striker Ollie Palmer should return to the side, having been rested for the majority of the FA Cup clash against Oldham.

He will no doubt accompany the league's second-highest scorer Paul Mullin in attack, who has notched 12 National League goals this season, and bagged twice to secure the victory against Oldham.

Anthony Forde limped off in the first half last time out, being replaced by Bryce Hosannah, who may play again as a precautionary measure on Wednesday night.

Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:

Dewhurst; O'Malley, Rowe, Boyce, Ogle, Ntlhe; Butterfield, Apter, Beestin, Nuttall; Lavery

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Howard; Hosannah, Hayden, Tozer, Tunnicliffe; McFadzean, Young, Jones, Lee; Mullin, Palmer

We say: Scunthorpe United 0-2 Wrexham

Scunthorpe usually fare better at Glanford Park, although Wrexham should be able to secure a pretty comfortable victory here. The Welsh side are on a brilliant run, and have far too much attacking quality for their opponents to handle.

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