Wrexham vs Chelsea – Match Preview and Team News

Chelsea visits STōK Cae Ras this evening for an exciting FA Cup fifth-round match against Wrexham, who are aiming for another upset.

Wrexham comes into this match as one of the highlights of the tournament, having already knocked out Nottingham Forest, a Premier League team. This is their first appearance in the FA Cup fifth round since the 1996-97 season, and they currently sit in the Championship play-off positions after a strong run since Christmas.

With their home crowd expected to be loud, Wrexham hopes to continue their history of surprises and reach the quarter-finals for just the fourth time.

On the other hand, Chelsea arrives in North Wales confident after a 4–1 win against Aston Villa on Wednesday, a result that lifted their spirits after a tough week. Interim coach Liam Rosenior has led the team to decisive victories in previous round matches against lower-league teams but is mindful of Wrexham’s knack for creating upsets.

Chelsea has a strong track record against lower-league teams, having won their last 24 FA Cup matches against such opponents. Nevertheless, they must avoid a repeat of their 2015 defeat to Bradford City, where Phil Parkinson was then the manager.

Wrexham vs Chelsea – Match Preview and Team News

• Date: Saturday, 7 March 2026
• Kick-off: 17:45 GMT
• Venue: STōK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground), Wrexham
• Referee: Peter Bankes
• VAR: Paul Howard
• Last Meeting: Chelsea 2–2 Wrexham (25 July 2024, Club Friendly)

Team News

Wrexham

Phil Parkinson faces several injury issues after a busy February. Midfielder George Dobson is out after wrist surgery, and Issa Kaboré is dealing with a hamstring issue.

Ben Sheaf, Lewis Brunt, and Aaron James are also unavailable. Liberato Cacace and Matty James will undergo late fitness tests. On a positive note, star striker Josh Windass is fit and looking to increase his FA Cup goal tally.

Chelsea

Liam Rosenior will be missing key players, including Levi Colwill (knee), Dário Essugo (muscle), and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension). Wesley Fofana is also doubtful due to a recent injury.

While Estêvão Willian and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens have returned to training, they are not yet ready to play. However, Pedro Neto is back after a one-match ban and aims to continue his strong cup performance.

Form

Wrexham

Wrexham has been in great form since Boxing Day, losing only two of their last 15 matches across competitions. They come off a hard-fought 1–0 win against Charlton Athletic, showcasing their strong defense.

Wrexham has won their last three home games, scoring eight goals in that span. Historically, they have played Chelsea nine times, winning two, but their last competitive meeting was in 1982.

Chelsea

Chelsea has been inconsistent in the Premier League but has performed well in knockout matches. Their recent 4–1 victory at Villa Park featured standout play from João Pedro, following a narrow loss to Arsenal and a draw with Burnley.

Chelsea has won six of their last eight away games in Wales across all competitions, having already beaten lower-tier teams Charlton and Hull by a total of 9–1 in this season’s FA Cup.

Predicted Lineups

Wrexham Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Okonkwo; Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle; Kabore, Dobson, O’Brien, Thomason; Windass, Broadhead; Moore

Chelsea Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Gusto, Chalobah, Sarr, Hato; Caicedo, Santos; Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Delap

How to Watch Wrexham vs Chelsea?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC One, with coverage starting at 17:15 GMT before the 17:45 kick-off.

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