What Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham need to reach Premier League as Championship play-off race goes to wire

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Wrexham stand just 90 minutes away from securing a Championship play-off spot , with their destiny still narrowly within their own grasp. However, the room for mistakes couldn't be any slimmer following a 3-1 loss to champions Coventry City .

Phil Parkinson's men appeared set to claim a vital point against Coventry on Sunday, which would have represented another significant stride towards the play-offs. Ollie Rathbone had equalised Brandon Thomas-Asante's opening goal to put them within touching distance of a draw, only for Victor Torp's late free-kick to dash Wrexham's hopes.

Opportunities arose for Wrexham to rescue a point in the closing stages, but Kieffer Moore couldn't keep a header on target during stoppage time. That miss proved damaging as Ephron Mason-Clarke's strike in the 94th minute sealed victory for Coventry while also denting Wrexham's goal difference.

Having achieved remarkable back-to-back promotions from the National League through to the Championship since Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased the club, their aspirations of reaching the Premier League - and completing four promotions in four seasons - remain intact with just one fixture remaining.

Nevertheless, defeat to the Sky Blues has undoubtedly created tension ahead of next Saturday's finale...

Wrexham had entered their second-to-last league fixture of the campaign already occupying a play-off position, following Hull City's 2-1 loss to Charlton Athletic at The Valley. As well as securing their own Championship survival, the Addicks had done Wrexham a favour by keeping Hull out of the play-off spots.

Wrexham had the chance to give themselves some breathing space following Hull's result, only for Coventry's two late strikes to shatter those hopes. Hull currently sit on 70 points, with a goal difference of +3.

Narrowly ahead of them are Wrexham. They also have 70 points, boasting a goal difference of +4. With that in mind, the margins for error heading into next week could not be any tighter.

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Wrexham face promotion-chasing Middlesbrough next Saturday (May 2) at the STōK Cae Ras, while Hull host Norwich City . Derby County cannot be written off either, sitting eighth on 69 points and due to host Sheffield United next weekend.

The Rams' goal difference is superior to both Wrexham and Hull - currently standing at +9. All final day fixtures kick off at 12.30pm.

Put simply, Wrexham just need to match or better the results of both Hull and Derby next weekend. Should Wrexham and Hull finish level on points, Wrexham's goal difference is currently in their favour - but only just.

The next tiebreaker, goals scored, edges in Hull's favour - having netted 68 times compared to Wrexham's 67. The final decider, head-to-head record, also favours Hull - having beaten Wrexham twice in the league this season.

The question of who Wrexham could meet in the play-offs will be resolved next weekend — with several clubs still very much in contention. Coventry have already secured promotion as champions, having sealed a return to the Premier League following a 25-year absence.

Beneath them, a group of clubs are battling it out for the final automatic promotion place. With two matches remaining, Ipswich Town are arguably best-positioned to make an immediate return to the top flight under Kieran McKenna.

The Tractor Boys climbed back into second spot on Saturday following a goalless stalemate with West Brom , sitting on 80 points with two fixtures left and a superior goal difference to their rivals. Victory against Southampton on Tuesday night would virtually guarantee promotion going into the final day of the campaign.

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However, were the FA Cup semi-finalists - who suffered their first defeat since January after being beaten by Manchester City at Wembley - to triumph, then the four-way battle for second place would remain alive. Below Ipswich, Millwall currently sit on 80 points but with just one match remaining and a goal difference significantly worse than their competitors.

Wrexham's opponents next week, Middlesbrough, occupy fourth spot on 79 points. Southampton are presently fifth on 76 points, though they do have two matches still to play.

Should they reach the play-offs, Wrexham will need to focus on whichever club finishes third from those four sides. Their first leg would take place on Friday, May 8, at the STōK Cae Ras at 8pm.

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