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After competing in the Premier League Summer Series, Wrexham's first competitive game of the new season is in the Carabao Cup first round against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Friday night.
The Championship side showed they can compete with top-flight teams, notably beating Leeds United before narrowly losing to Liverpool and Sunderland.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have played three pre-season friendlies of their own, most recently drawing 3-3 against Espanyol.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Middlesbrough vs. Wrexham key stats
- Middlesbrough were winless in pre-season (D2, L1).
- Wrexham's recent two defeats ended a three-game unbeaten pre-season run (W2, D1).
- Both H2Hs last season were draws.
Middlesbrough vs. Wrexham preview: Visitors to emerge victorious?
Middlesbrough vs Wrexham — Tale of the Tape
| Middlesbrough | vs | Wrexham |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 7th |
| 80 | Points | 71 |
| 72 | Goals For | 69 |
| 47 | Goals Against | 65 |
| 14 | Clean Sheets | 12 |
| 5th | Home / Away Rank | 8th |
Middlesbrough missed out on promotion last season via the play-offs, despite being sent through to the final after Southampton's punishment for their part in the Spygate scandal.
Boro lost to Hull City at Wembley Stadium, meaning they will spend another campaign in the Championship.
Kim Hellberg remains in charge of the team, and has been backed with the signings of Sebastian Berhalter, Will Lankshear and Jeremy Sarmiento, who could all make their competitive debuts here.
It is unclear just how strong of a side Middlesbrough will field, with the new Championship season set to commence in just over a week.
Wrexham finished nine points behind their opponents in the previous campaign, and just missed out on the play-offs in seventh.
It was still an impressive finish for Phil Parkinson's side after promotion, and the ambitious owners will undoubtedly continue to push for the Premier League.
Danny Imray is in line for his first competitive start after featuring in pre-season, while Liberato Cacace has recovered from a long-term injury.
Wrexham are not the favourites here according to the bookies, but they are more than capable of springing an upset.
Middlesbrough vs. Wrexham form guide & betting tips
| Middlesbrough | vs | Wrexham |
|---|---|---|
LLDLD |
Form | DWWLL |
| 6 | Goals For | 4 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 4 |
N/A |
Carabao Cup | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Middlesbrough 1-1 Wrexham (Wrexham to qualify)
Middlesbrough are 4/5 (1.80) favourites to win with bookies, but given they are in such poor form, we are backing Wrexham to cause an upset.
Double chance – Draw/Wrexham at 11/10 (2.10) therefore appeals to us as an opening bet.
Under 2.5 goals at 11/10 (2.10) offers the same value, and could come through as it did in four of Wrexham's five pre-season friendlies.
Overall, we are predicting a Correct score – 1-1 at 13/2 (7.50) after normal time, as we feel this could be a close match between two of the Championship's top seven last term.
> Double chance – Draw/Wrexham at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Under 2.5 goals at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 1-1 at 13/2 (7.50) | Likelihood: Outsider