Play-off chasing Wrexham face promotion-chasing Middlesbrough in a massive showdown on the final day of the 2025-26 Sky Bet Championship season.
Victory would see Wrexham qualify for the play-offs in sixth position but a draw or defeat would be enough if the following scenarios unfold:
- Wrexham will qualify for the play-offs with a draw if Hull lose to Norwich and Derby fail to beat Sheffield United.
- Wrexham will qualify for the play-offs with defeat if Hull and Derby both lose to Norwich and Sheffield Utd respectively.
Middlesbrough meanwhile must win to stand any chance of snatching second and automatic promotion via the following scenarios:
- Middlesbrough will be promoted if win by six goals or more and Ipswich draw at home to QPR plus Millwall fail to beat Oxford United.
- Middlesbrough will be promoted if Ipswich lose and Millwall fail to win at home to Oxford Utd.
Teams
Matty James is a doubt for Wrexham as his game time continues to be managed following a recent toe injury, which saw him sit out their 3-1 loss at Coventry.
Ben Sheaf (knee) could return but Zak Vyner (groin) remains absent.
Middlesbrough have no fresh injury concerns after their 5-1 win at home to Watford.
Riley McGree (unspecified) could return if he passes a late fitness test but Hayden Hackney (calf), Alfie Jones (ankle) and Darragh Lenihan (Achilles) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Wrexham host Middlesbrough at the STOK Racecourse Ground on Saturday 2 May at 12:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Wrexham drew 1-1 away in their only previous league meeting against Middlesbrough in October 2025 earlier this season.
- Middlesbrough are making their first league visit to Wrexham, but lost their two previous visits in all competitions (L2) as they suffered 2-1 and 1-0 defeats in the FA Cup in January 1974 and December 1999 respectively.
- Wrexham’s Josh Windass has converted 14 of his 28 shots on target into goals this season.
- Morgan Whittaker has been involved in more goals than any other Boro player this season, having produced 14 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances.
Prediction
Having been clinically beaten at Coventry in a match where they didn’t make the most of their 13 shots as just two of those shots were converted onto target, Wrexham must now be clinical if they’re to reach the play-offs and not rely on luck elsewhere.
Middlesbrough though have found their winning mojo again at an ideal time given that they’re likely to be involved in the play-offs, but they just need to focus on their business here and not worry about how Ipswich or Millwall get on if want to win as they have the toughest test of the three promotion challengers.
My instinct is that this could finish in a draw but if Wrexham are again poor in their end product, I fancy Middlesbrough to snatch a first win at the STOK Racecourse Ground which would put the fates of both teams beyond their own hands – as is definitely the case for Boro anyway.
Prediction: Wrexham 1-2 Middlesbrough