Non League’s Wrexham host Sheffield United at the Racecourse Ground in Fourth Round of 2022-23 FA Cup.
Victory would see Wrexham reach the Fifth Round for the first time since their run to the Quarter-Finals in 1996-97 season.
Team News
Ollie Palmer is a doubt for Wrexham after playing through pain of an unspecified injury in recent weeks, meaning that manager – Phil Parkinson could bench him and start Sam Dalby alongside Paul Mullin up front.
Jordan Davies (knee), Jacob Mendy and Bryce Hosannah (both hamstring) remain absent.
Sheffield Utd manager, Paul Heckingbottom will rotate his squad for this cup tie, although striker, Oli McBurnie might not be risked in the starting line-up due to an ankle injury.
Jack O’Connell (knee), George Baldock, Enda Stevens (both muscle), Ciaran Clark, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Rhian Brewster (all hamstring) and John Fleck (leg) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Wrexham host Sheffield Utd at the Racecourse Ground on Sunday 29 January in a 4:30pm GMT kick-off, live on BBC One.
Stat Attack
- Wrexham lost their only previous FA Cup meeting against Sheffield Utd 5-1 in November 1983.
- Sheffied Utd triumphed in their only previous FA Cup trip to Wrexham, which came in First Round of 1983-84 season.
- This is the first time that Wrexham have reached the Fourth Round since they became a Non League club in 2008-09 season.
- Wrexham have advanced beyond this stage in just one of their last five appearances in the Fourth Round (W1, D2, L4).
- Sheffield Utd have lost just one of their last seven FA Cup ties agains teams ranked below them in lower divisions (W6, L1).
Prediction
Having failed to score in just three matches across all competitions this season, Wrexham certainly can’t afford to be underestimated because there is serious attacking quality in this team, especially with Paul Mullin who will be key to their dreams of advancing further.
Further positives for the Red Dragons is that they’re yet to lose at home this season plus boast a manager in Phil Parkinson, who is no stranger to causing cupsets from his time at Bradford City as the Bantams eliminated teams like Arsenal and Chelsea during his tenure.
Sheffield Utd though are unbeaten since mid-November and also boast an attack-minded team which should hopefully create a cracking contest, although Paul Heckingbottom’s Blades will have one eye on their promotion bid despite holding a decent-sized gap ahead of the play-off pack.
Nevertheless, I do still expect Utd to take this match seriously because they’re visiting unfamiliar territory in terms of an Non League ground, which will be a different experience on top of enjoying a cup run given that they’re course for automatic promotion from the Championship.
Tactics therefore will be crucial because if Wrexham come out fighting with their attacking football, Sheffield Utd will need to be at their defensive best to limit players like Mullin, Palmer plus even defender, Aaron Hayden who could pose an unlikely threat.
Now if they can do that and can produce their best end product then a cupset will be prevented, otherwise a replay could be a decent bet given the talent in both teams.
Prediction: Wrexham 1-2 Sheffield United
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