Wrexham manager Bryan Hughes has urged his side to take their momentum into Saturday’s top of the table clash at Leyton Orient. The Dragons sit two points above the O’s ahead of the meeting and with Hughes unbeaten in the Wrexham hot seat, he will be looking to continue that on Saturday. Speaking to leaderlive.co.uk “we will be prepared, we will plan and we will go there full of confidence”.

• Sit 1st on 69 points
• Taken 16 points from last 18 available
• League Record – P36  W20  D9  L7

The Dragons made it six unbeaten last weekend with a 1-0 home victory over Chesterfield thanks to Akil Wright’s second goal in four games. Hughes was delighted his side overcame another challenge stating to wrexhamafc.co.uk “it was always going to be a test for us, it wasn’t the most entertaining of games but it was workmanlike from us today and we did what we had to do. When that moment of quality came in the game, we took it”.

Wrexham’s Last Six Results

Hughes took over at the Racecourse back in February after Graham Barrow stepped down and his side haven’t looked back since. The 42 year old has taken 13 points from a possible 15 and with just ten games to go acknowledges his side have to stay in the moment. Speaking to wrexhamafc.co.uk “I couldn’t have dreamt of a better start, it’s not about me, it’s about trying to make the club successful. It’s all about the players, their the ones that cross the line and have to put all the energy, desire and have to try and get the result. It’s about taking every game as it comes”.

• Away League Record – P18  W7  D6  L5  F17  A17
• Only 39% points picked up on travels
• Unbeaten in last three – W2  D1
• Only won two away games since November – W2  D4  L4
• Taken eight points from last 24 available on travels in league

In one of the tightest promotion battles in recent years, captain Shaun Pearson could lead his side back to the Football League for the first time since 2008. The 29 year old returned from injury against Chesterfield and is ready for the title run in. Speaking to wrexhamafc.co.uk “it was a wonderful result, that’s the main thing. We’ve got ten games to go and we have got to pick up as many points as we can. Hopefully lead us where we all want to go. It was pleasing to keep another clean sheet but the main thing was the three points and all we are worried about at the moment”.

• Kept 19 league clean sheets (most in National league)
• Best defensive record in league – conceding just 25 goals
• Kept two clean sheets in last three games
• Kept four in last six games – conceding just three goals
• Conceded 16/25 in the second half – including eight in final 15 minutes of games

Saturday’s clash is live on BT Sport and the early kick off but despite the attention surrounding the fixture, Wrexham midfielder Luke Young has urged his side to prepare as any other game. The 26 year old is excited for the clash stating to wrexhamafc.co.uk “I don’t think we’ll see it as pressure, away from our dressing room, all the fans and media are going to hype it up, it’s the right thing to do. It’s two teams fighting for the title going toe to toe, it’s builds for a fantastic game, but us as players it’s just another game”. He added “there games you want to play in, we go well drilled on how we can exploit them and how to have a game plan to bring back a positive result”.

• Failed to score in 12 league games (eight away)
• Scored in last six games – netting nine goals
• Lowest scorers inside the top seven
• Scored in last three away games

The sides will be meeting for the third time this season and after losing the previous two, The Dragons are looking for revenge. Defender James Jennings has never beaten the O’s in a league meeting and highlights his side must stay focused at the Breyer Group Stadium tomorrow. Speaking to wrexhamafc.co.uk “I think we dominated both games, we were unlucky to lose them. The league one we were in full control and we should have taken advantage when we had the chances. The cup game we made a few changes, it was a good performance. We do owe them one but it’s a normal game and we can’t let anything take over that”.

• Scored 24/45 goals in second half (10/17 away)
• Wrexham’s last ten goals including all goals under Hughes have been in second period
• 33% of goals have been scored in opening 30 minutes of matches

A win for either side would see them lead the table and it could be a pivotal weekend in the race for the National League Title. Salford host Solihull later in the day and will have eyes on the early kick off in E10. With both Orient and Wrexham heading into the game after victories, Hughes is expecting a good game. Speaking to leaderlive.co.uk “it is going to be an interesting battle. Orient got a good result at Barrow and they will be full of confidence like we are so it will be an entertaining game. We have got to take our momentum forward into our next games”.

Top Seven in National League

Team News

Manny Smith, Mark Carrington and Luke Summerfield are out through injury while Bobby Grant could return. Jermaine McGlashan could be involved after joining on loan from Swindon Town in midweek subject to International Clearance.

Head to Head – Wrexham 11, Draw 11, Leyton Orient 14

• Wrexham are winless in last six meetings – D2  L4
• Wrexham have failed to score in the last three meetings
• Wrexham have not kept a clean sheet in last six meetings
• Wrexham have only won one of the last nine meetings – W1  D4  L4

The Last Ten Meetings Between Sides

Last Time Out – 02/03/2019 – Wrexham 1-0 Chesterfield

Starting 11 vs Chesterfield

Prediction – Leyton Orient 1-1 Wrexham