Barnsley are hoping to end Wrexham’s unbeaten home run this season as well as their own winless record at the Welsh club when they play there from 7.45pm on Tuesday.
The Reds are winless in four games in all competitions, having lost on penalties to Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup following a 0-0 draw on Saturday.
They will look for their first ever win at Wrexham in their 17th attempt, which is by far the highest number of games played at any club without a victory in their history.
There has never been an away win in games involving the Reds and Wrexham – with both clubs winning 12 and drawing four of the 16 games on their own turf.
The Welsh club are aiming for a third successive promotion, under the ownership of Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who have also produced the hit documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.
They spent 15 years in the National League, finishing as low as 19th in 2020, but won the title last year then came second in League Two earlier this year.
They are currently second in League One, four points behind leaders Wycombe and seven clear of the Reds.
They have the best defensive record in the division, conceding 11 goals in 17 games.
Wrexham have won ten out of 11 games at home in all competitions – with the other being a 0-0 draw with Huddersfield.
They have the most points at home in English football with 25 from nine league games while conceding just four goals, two of which came on the opening day. They have only lost four home league games in the last four seasons combined.
Last week they won 3-0 at home to Exeter City on Saturday then 1-0 at home to Lincoln City on Tuesday. They did not play in the FA Cup over the weekend.
The Reds have the third best away form in the division, with 16 points from their eight games so far.
Wrexham’s manager Phil Parkinson has faced Barnsley 16 times, winning just three – and none at Oakwell – with Colchester, Hull, Charlton, Bradford and Bolton. His assistant is former Barnsley manager Steve Parkin.
Reds head coach Darrell Clarke said: “The aim is to go there and attack. They have got a good home record, we’ve got a good away record. It’s set up for a good game.
“They are a club that is forever in the news. I have massive respect for Phil Parkinson and his assistant Steve Parkin who was one of my managers at the start of my playing career.
“It’s all well and good having resources but getting teams over the line is a different kettle of fish.
“They have had two promotions and they have done well this season. They are adjusting very well and are up in the mix. But I am sure they will be respectful of us.”
Reds player Corey O’Keeffe added: “We will be trying to take away their unbeaten home record. We will go there with full confidence. It will be a tough game.
“They have had their documentaries and it’s good for them. There will be a lot of cameras but we are going there for the points.
"It’s going to be a big game. They are up there in the league where we want to be. There’s a lot of media about it. The lads will be looking forward to that."
Wrexham have a couple of ex-Reds. Midfielder Matty James, 33, who had loan spells at Oakwell in 2017 and 2021, joined as a free agent last month and started his first two games last week.
James’ former Barnsley club-mate Elliot Lee, who spent the 2016/17 season at Oakwell but only made six substitute appearances, has been a key player in Wrexham’s recent promotions and has four goals this season.
The most recent meeting was a 2-2 draw at Oakwell in April 2005 with Danny Nardiello and Michael Chopra netting for the Reds.
Barnsley’s last game at the Racecourse Ground was in August 2004 when they lost 2-1. Nardiello’s consolation strike that day is the only goal they have scored there in the last six visits since 1967.
The Reds have only won one of the last seven meetings, home or away – a 2-1 success in 2003 thanks to goals by Dean Gorre and Isaiah Rankin.
