Wrexham travel to Oakwell to face Barnsley on New Year’s Day, and while the Red Dragons may be flying right now, they will have to be wary.
After the stunning win over Wigan in the dying moments on Sunday, Wrexham have climbed back into the automatic promotion spots in League One.
Phil Parkinson’s side have shown great resilience over the last week to claim two victories in the final stages of their games, but they’ll face an even sterner test against Barnsley on Wednesday.
After praising Wrexham’s winning ‘mentality’, Parkinson will be expecting another big performance from his team to continue their promotion push.
Barnsley have goalscorers in Davis Keillor-Dunn and Adam Phillips
One thing Wrexham have struggled with a little this season is putting the ball in the back of the net. In previous seasons, they’ve been able to lean on Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer for goals, but that has not been the case this term.
That’s not been an issue for Barnsley, though, who have Davis Keillor-Dunn on seven goals already this season, and Adam Phillips not far behind on six for the campaign.
Wrexham will need to find a way to neutralise those threats in attack and ensure Barnsley have a frustrating start to 2025.
The creativity of Corey O’Keefe could be a problem for Wrexham
Ensuring that happens may be as simple as stopping Corey O’Keefe making an impact on the game. The right-back is Barnsley’s top assist-maker this season, with five contributions to his name.
James McClean had a poor game against Wigan on Sunday, but he will need to get back to his best immediately and prevent O’Keefe from progressing up the pitch and delivering his crosses into the box.
Hopefully, Wrexham’s attacking play can keep O’Keefe busy enough when it comes to his defensive duties.
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Barnsley are unbeaten in two and pushing for the play-offs
Barnsley have pulled off two very impressive away wins over the festive period, against Bolton and Peterborough, to push themselves right into contention for the play-offs.
That momentum will be huge for the Tykes, and they’ll be desperate to climb into the top six to start off the New Year.
Of course, Wrexham have pretty great momentum themselves, though, and will be buzzing after that late win over Wigan. Two in-form teams going head-to-head is sure to produce a cracking game, either way.
Barnsley haven’t won at home for four games
One big advantage Wrexham have to look to exploit is the fact that Barnsley have not won at their own ground in the last four games, and they’ll be more than a little wary of making it five.
Wrexham love to spoil the fun for other teams, and Phil Parkinson will be looking to ensure his team get on top in the early stages, unsettle Barnsley, and turn the Oakwell crowd against Darrell Clarke’s side.
It’s rare to find a team who struggle at home, but Wrexham have a great opportunity to pile on the misery here.
Wrexham beat Barnsley less than a month ago
If the Wrexham manager is needs inspiration when it comes to finding a way to beat Barnsley, he need only look at his own team’s efforts on December 3, with a 1-0 win at the Racecourse Ground showing exactly how it’s done.
An injury-time Ollie Rathbone goal was enough that day, but Parkinson would love to see his team get control of the game a lot earlier this time around.
That mental edge of having won less than a month ago will surely be fresh in the memories of both teams, and the Wrexham squad only have to ensure they don’t allow Barnsley to get a swift revenge this week.