Preview: Wrexham look to further establish play-off ambitions as they travel to face Watford | OneFootball

Wrexham are aiming to extend the gap between themselves and the playoff-chasing pack behind them, as they travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford.

Since achieving successive promotions rocketing all the way from the National League to the Championship under American owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny, Wrexham have failed to struggle at adapting to any of the new challenges they’ve faced throughout this incredible journey and they have taken to the second tier like a duck to water.

In Phil Parkinson’s almost fifth year of management, Wrexham look to make the final and biggest leap into the Premier League and are in good stead to at least challenge for that as they sit in the final play-off place and three points clear of Southampton having won four of their last five in the league and riding a huge wave of confidence.

They will be looking to take that confidence to Vicarage Road and to a Watford side who are all but out of the contention for that sixth place spot following yet another turbulent season under the ownership of Gino Pozzo. After sacking head coach Paulo Pezzolano following a dismal run of form in October, the Hornets appointed former head coach Javi Garcia who himself then resigned following a turbulent run of results in February this year. Garcia was replaced by Ed Still the brother of former Southampton boss Will Still.

Ed has some experience managing in the Belgian Pro League but is otherwise an unknown quantity, Watford have lost just one of Still’s six games in charge despite winning just one of their last four in the league.

Parkinson has amassed a 1.98ppm in his over 250 matches in charge at the Racecourse, the former Colchester, Bolton and Sunderland manager has won 129 from his 219 league games in charge of Wrexham making him the clubs most successful manager.

Watford have been out of the top flight since the 21/22 season and have since sunk into Championship mediocrity by finishing outside of the top 10 for each of their seasons since their relegation. However previously, the Hornets have spent six of the last 10 seasons in the top flight and will be keen to return to the top.

Watford will hope to be bolstered by the return of Australian wonderkid Nestory Irankuda from injury, another winger who’s recovering from an injury is top scorer Luca Kjerrumgaard and Imran Souza who will both provide crucial firepower as they head into the business end of the season.

Ed Still will continue to be without Rocco Vata, Kwadwo Baah and Jeremy Ngakia who are all out for the rest of this month at least.

Wrexham will continue to be without midfielder George Dobson after he was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Alejandro Garnacho in the sides FA Cup clash with Chelsea and is still serving his ban. Josh Windass has been recovering from injury and could be fit for a return to the starting 11 tomorrow night.