Wigan Athletic vs Wrexham: TV channel, team news and predicted line ups
Wrexham can take another step towards promotion from League One when they travel to face Wigan Athletic on Saturday lunchtime.
The Red Dragons are three points ahead of Wycombe Wanderers for the second automatic promotional place, following a 3-0 win at home to Burton Albion, while The Latics are seven points clear of relegation, earning a 1-1 draw with Exeter City earlier this week. Wycombe defeated Huddersfield on Tuesday night in their game in hand.
Cleaning up
It is rare to see Phil Parkinson’s men win as convincingly as we saw last weekend, with this team often relying on timely saves and a strong defensive structure to get by. Although that may not be the most attractive tactical approach, it has the Red Dragons on the cusp of the Championship.
Arthur Okonkwo has maintained four clean sheets in his last five league contests and was recently named League One Player of the Month for March, while Parkinson earned the Manager of the Month award.
Wrexham have more clean sheets (21) than any club in the competition this term, and they have two clean sheets in their three visits to Wigan this century, emerging victorious in the last five matches against them across all competitions.
Mr and Mr Smith’s
This weekend could be a difficult match for commentators differentiating numerous players. On the Wrexham side, there’s talisman Sam Smith, who has enjoyed a bright start to life in North Wales after his arrival in the winter window.
Wigan also have three on their books in local lad Scott Smith, Matt Smith and former Wrexham winger Jonny Smith. Jonny has three goals and four assists in League One this season, while Wrexham’s Sam has 16 goals, most of which came during his spell with Reading.
The captain returns
Another headline to follow is Wrexham captain James McClean, who will be back in Wigan, a club he knows well.
In two previous stints, the Irishman earned over 100 caps with the Latics, helping them capture the League One title in 2021-22.
Wigan vs Wrexham: How to watch and TV channel
Wrexham’s trip to face Wigan Athletic will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports+ and streamed live on the Sky Go App.
US viewers can watch full coverage on Paramount+ with kick-off from 12:30pm BST on Saturday 12 April 2025. Match highlights will be available on the club’s official YouTube channel as well as the EFL channel.
Injury News
Wigan were without Matt Smith and Dion Rankin with hamstring strains in midweek. Tyrese Francois has an ankle ligament tear, Luke Chambers has a back injury, and Joe Adams has a cruciate ligament issue.
Andy Cannon is a long-term absentee after a cruciate tear, while Luke Bolton and Will Boyle have calf strains. Paul Mullin and Ollie Palmer are both fit but have been overlooked by Phil Parkinson in recent weeks.
Predicted XIs
Wigan Athletic: Tickle; Carragher, Kerr, Aimson; Dale, Weir, Sc. Smith, J. Smith; Adeeko; Asamoah, Taylor.
Wrexham: Okonkwo; Cleworth, O’Connell, Brunt; Longman, Dobson, James, Rathbone, McClean; Rodriguez; S. Smith.
