Wrexham Set to Battle West Brom: Key Matchup Preview, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Wrexham are set to play their first Championship match in more than four decades, as they face West Bromwich Albion at the Racecourse Ground this Saturday afternoon.
The celebrity-backed Welsh outfit secured their third consecutive promotion through a runner-up position in League One during the previous campaign, and have experienced an eventful beginning to the 2025–26 season.
Phil Parkinson's team appeared destined for an ideal opening result against Southampton last weekend, but fell victim to a dramatic Saints comeback, with Jack Stephens netting the decisive goal in added time after Wrexham had controlled the match for most of the encounter.
They subsequently produced an extraordinary turnaround of their own in the Carabao Cup opening round on Tuesday, with Ollie Palmer finding the net twice in the final moments to force their match against Hull City into a penalty shootout. A 5–3 triumph from the spot has earned them a second round meeting with Preston North End.
West Brom suffered a penalty shootout loss in midweek, falling to Derby County. However, their Championship campaign at least began with a 1–0 triumph over Blackburn Rovers last weekend.
The Baggies have achieved four consecutive top-half placements in the second division and reached the play-offs once following their Premier League demotion in 2021. Nevertheless, expectations have been moderated for Ryan Mason's squad this term.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of Wrexham's forthcoming encounter.
What Time Does Wrexham vs. West Brom Kick Off?
Wrexham vs. West Brom Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Wrexham | West Brom |
|---|---|
Wrexham 3–3 (5–3p) Hull City - 12/08/25 | West Brom 1–1 (2–3p) Derby County - 12/08/25 |
Southampton 2–1 Wrexham - 09/08/25 | West Brom 1–0 Blackburn - 09/08/25 |
Groningen 3–1 Wrexham - 02/08/25 | West Brom 3–2 Rayo Vallecano - 02/08/25 |
Wellington Phoenix 1–0 Wrexham - 19/07/25 | Lincoln City 4–2 West Brom - 26/07/25 |
Sydney FC 2–1 Wrexham - 15/07/25 | Blackpool 2–1 West Brom - 19/07/25 |
How to Watch Wrexham vs. West Brom on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+ |
United Kingdom | ITVX, Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra, STV Player, ITV 1 UK, STV Scotland, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football, Sky Ultra HD |
Canada | DAZN Canada |
Mexico | Disney+ Premium Mexico, ESPN Mexico |
Wrexham Team News
Nathan Broadhead has arrived at the club from Ipswich Town in a club-record transfer for the Welsh outfit, and the attacking midfielder should make his debut at his new home ground on Saturday.
The home side will be missing veteran strikers Kieffer Moore and Jay Rodriguez due to injury, with Josh Windass expected to lead the line alongside Sam Smith.
Andy Cannon, George Thomason and Oliver Rathbone are also unavailable through injury.
Wrexham Predicted Lineup vs. West Brom
Wrexham predicted lineup vs. West Brom (3-5-2): Ward; Cleworth, Coady, Brunt; Barnett, Dobson, James, O'Brien, Cacace; Windass, Smith
West Brom Team News
The late dismissal of Darnell Furlong cast a shadow over West Brom's 1–0 victory against Blackburn, but Mason will have his right-back available for Saturday's journey to North Wales after serving his ban in the Carabao Cup.
Furlong is expected to feature in a backline that also includes former Liverpool defender Nat Phillips, who signed for the club during the summer window.
Daryl Dike and Tammer Bany Odeh remain on the sidelines for the Baggies, meaning Aune Selland Heggebø will persist as Mason's attacking spearhead.
West Brom Predicted Lineup vs. Wrexham
West Brom predicted lineup vs. Wrexham (4-2-3-1): Griffiths; Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles; Molumby, Mowatt; Fellows, Price, Grant; Heggebø
Wrexham vs. West Brom Score Prediction
Wrexham's dramatic comeback on Tuesday evening extends their unbeaten home streak to seven matches, and West Brom face a challenging task if they hope to capitalize on an encouraging win against Blackburn last week.
Mason, embarking on his maiden full-time managerial appointment, still has considerable development ahead, and he's confronting an astute tactician in Parkinson. While Wrexham enjoy home advantage, they'll probably be satisfied with soaking up pressure and catching their opponents on the counter-attack, with the Baggies expected to dominate possession more than they managed last week.
The Welsh side demonstrated at St. Mary's last weekend that they can compete at this standard, and their thrilling midweek success could provide the foundation for a significant victory here.
Prediction: Wrexham 2–1 West Brom