Preview: Wrexham vs. Wigan Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

The Red Dragons returned to the Football League with a disappointing defeat against MK Dons, while Wigan began their League One campaign with a narrow win.

Match preview

After ending their 15-year Football League exile with a memorable National League campaign, Wrexham entered the 2023-24 League Two season as one of the favourites to win promotion to the third tier.

However, they were given an immediate reality check in their season opener against recently relegated MK Dons that promotion will be far from easy.

Goals from Jacob Mendy, Jordan Davies and Anthony Forde were ultimately in vain, as MK Dons showcased their own firepower to condemn Wrexham to a 5-3 defeat in an entertaining affair.

They will now look to bounce back in midweek when they play their first EFL Cup match since losing 5-0 in the second round to Aston Villa in August 2007.

While Wrexham may have their work cut out against a side in the league above them, they can draw inspiration from the fact that they have won their last two first-round ties in the competition.

After being relegated from the Championship following a season hampered by financial issues, Wigan began the season with an eight-point deduction.

However, they have already reduced their arrears after a Charlie Wyke brace guided the Latics to an impressive 2-1 win over Derby County at Pride Park.

While Saturday's fixture with Northampton Town will take priority, Wigan boss Shaun Maloney will be keen for his side to beat Wrexham in the EFL Cup, as the Latics look to build momentum in the opening stages of the campaign.

Their recent form in the competition does not offer too much encouragement, having failed to make it past the first round in four of the last five seasons.

They have also lost seven of their last eight away games in the EFL Cup, with their only positive result in that period taking place in August 2021 when they beat Hull City on penalties after playing out a 1-1 draw.

Wrexham form (all competitions):

L

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

W

Team News

Wrexham are unable to call upon their talismanic striker Paul Mullin, who sustained a punctured lung in a friendly against Manchester United last month.

After completing a move from Wigan, James Mclean could come into the side to make his Wrexham debut against his former club.

Parkinson may also be tempted to make a number of changes for the midweek tie, with Mark Howard, Ollie Palmer, Davies and Forde all in contention for starting berths.

As for the visitors, experienced goalkeeper Ben Amos could replace Sam Tickle in between the posts for the midweek encounter.

Maloney could hand debuts to summer signings Kell Watts and James Balagizi, who have joined the club on loan from Newcastle United and Liverpool respectively.

Scott Smith may also be given the chance to impress the Wigan boss after featuring as a substitute in Saturday's win over Derby.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Howard; O'Connell, Tozer, O'Connor; Forde, Jones, Lee, Mendy; Davies; Palmer, Dalby

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Watts, Pearce; S. Smith, M. Smith; Lang, Balagizi, McManaman; Wyke

We say: Wrexham 1-2 Wigan Athletic

With the league priority for Wrexham and Wigan, both sides could make changes for Tuesday's EFL Cup tie, but we still think that the Latics will have enough quality in their lineup to edge out the League Two side.

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