Wrexham v Stoke City: play-off chase meets mid-table consolidation | OneFootball

Wrexham host Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday, 18 April 2026 at Cae Ras, with the hosts targeting the top six race and the visitors aiming to firm up a mid-table finish.

Stoke City won the reverse fixture 1-0 in October and also came out on top in the teams' only other recent meeting, a 2019 friendly. That edge gives the visitors a reference point against a Wrexham side pushing to stay in the play-off picture.

Form is mixed. Wrexham have taken one point from their past three league games after a draw at West Brom was followed by defeats to Southampton and Birmingham. Stoke collected four points from their last three, beating Sheffield Wednesday, losing at Derby, then drawing with Blackburn.

Team news could shape the balance. Wrexham list Ben Sheaf, Zak Vyner and Liberato Cacace as injured. Stoke report a lengthy absentee list including defenders Ben Gibson, Ben Wilmot, Maksym Talovierov and Junior Tchamadeu, forward Robert Bozenik, goalkeeper Viktor Johansson and midfielder Tomas Rigo, while Ashley Phillips is suspended.

Routes to goal may hinge on wide supply and set pieces. Wrexham have scored 63 league goals and carry an aerial threat with 16 headed goals, supported by 645 open-play crosses at 19.38% accuracy. Josh Windass (12 league goals) and Kieffer Moore (11) lead their scoring chart. Stoke tend to see more of the ball with 52% average possession, have 13 clean sheets, and lean on Sorba Thomas, who sits on 10 league goals and 10 assists this season.

Wrexham sit seventh and, with two games left after this weekend, a win would strengthen their push towards the play-offs. Stoke are 16th and a positive result may nudge them towards the top half while further distancing them from any late relegation anxiety.