Wrexham's Championship Journey: Where Do They Stand After 40 Crucial Games?

Although Wrexham fought back from two goals behind to earn a 2–2 stalemate against West Bromwich Albion on Friday, the dropped points will sting as the EFL Championship playoff race intensifies.

The Red Dragons returned from the international break looking sluggish throughout the opening half at The Hawthorns. George Dobson was credited with an own goal after redirecting a free kick into his own net, before a reckless foul from Issa Kaboré handed the hosts a penalty, which Josh Maja duly dispatched.

Phil Parkinson's side responded in the second half through a Josh Windass effort and a clever back-heel from Dobson to level the score, but neither side could find a winner. The visitors had to settle for a single point against a side hovering just above the relegation places.

With just six matches remaining, the frustrating draw could prove costly for Wrexham in their bid to reach the Premier League.

Wrexham Standings After 40 Games in the EFL Championship

With automatic promotion now largely beyond their grasp, Wrexham are targeting a top-six finish to book their place in the Championship playoffs. Claiming a point at West Brom lifted the Red Dragons back into sixth, accumulating 64 points from 40 outings.

However, that position may not be secure for long. Southampton sit just a single point adrift with a game in hand. If the Saints win that fixture, they would leapfrog Wrexham and claim the final playoff berth.

The silver lining for Parkinson's squad is that fifth place also remains within striking distance. Hull City are only three points clear of Wrexham, meaning one slip from the Tigers could open the door for the Welsh club to move up.

Wrexham's Next Five Games

Wrexham's run-in is far from straightforward. First up is a crucial clash with Southampton, which could effectively decide who occupies sixth place. Losing points to the Saints would be a serious blow to the Red Dragons' playoff aspirations.

Fixtures against Birmingham and Stoke may appear more manageable on paper, yet both sides have already taken points from Parkinson's team this campaign. Wrexham could only draw 1–1 with the Blues before falling to a 1–0 defeat against Stoke in consecutive matches back in October.

Relegation-threatened Oxford United should represent a more winnable contest, offering some relief before a daunting trip to face the league leaders. The Welsh side memorably defeated Coventry City in October — but can they repeat that feat?