Wrexham and Newcastle United U21 square off in Group B of the EFL Trophy with both teams looking to make a fine start to the competition. With neither side particularly convincing at home, goals are expected here, although the Welsh outfit are likely to have the upper hand in front of their fans.
It has been a mixed bag for Wrexham on their first foray into the EFL following their promotion from the National League. Phil Parkinson’s men have endured an erratic start to the campaign and are currently in the bottom half of League Two while also crashing out of the Carabao Cup.
For all their troubles this season, Wrexham are heading into Tuesday’s clash unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions, although there have only been two wins in that run. One of those wins came last Saturday as thy picked up a 1-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers in a League Two fixture.
One of the major problems for Wrexham is a lack of discipline at the back, particularly on home soil. They have kept just one clean sheet in their last six matches at the Racecourse Ground with a 5-3 defeat to MK Dons, a 4-2 win over Walsall and a 5-5 draw with Swindon Town among their results in that run.
While things have been merely mixed for Wrexham, it has been a woeful start to the season for Newcastle United U21. They did begin on a positive note, claiming a 5-3 victory over Southampton U21 in their opening Premier League 2 fixture but have now lost their last three matches.
Newcastle United U21 travel to the Racecourse Ground off the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Manchester City U21 in a Premier League 2 fixture last Saturday. They were second best for much of the encounter and barely troubled the City backline.
Like Wrexham, the problem for Newcastle United U21 is an inability to keep things tight at the back. Ben Dawson’s men have failed to keep a single clean sheet this season, conceding 12 goals in just four matches across all competitions so far.
How the bookies view it
Wrexham are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 4/9 by BoyleSports. A victory for Newcastle United U21 is valued at 6/1 by bet365 while a draw is set at odds of 7/2 by 888Sport.
Head to head
This will be the first ever meeting between Wrexham and Newcastle United U21.
Players to watch
Elliott Lee has been the standout player for Wrexham this season and heads into Tuesday’s clash with five goals in his last six matches. The likes of Ollie Palmer and Jacob Bickerstaff have also impressed and all three men can combine to produce over 1.5 for the Welsh side at 2/5 with bet365.
Newcastle United U21 will be keen to capitalise on Wrexham’s defensive problems and will look to Ben Parkinson, Amadou Diallo and James Huntley to do the damage. They can ensure the visitors produce over 0.5 goals at 1/2 with 888Sport.
Anything else catch the eye?
Wrexham have seen over 4.5 goals in four of their last six matches and a repeat is priced at 11/4 with bet365. Newcastle United U21 have seen over 3.5 goals in four of their last five matches and a similar outcome is priced at 6/5 with BoyleSports.
The Welsh side have more options in attack and could be tipped to score in both halves at evens with bet365. With a straight home victory priced at minimal odds, a win and both teams to score can be considered at 7/4 with BoyleSports.
This EFL Trophy match between Wrexham and Newcastle United U21 will be played on Sep 5, 2023 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best Wrexham vs Newcastle United U21 prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.