Wrexham take on Melbourne Victory on Friday as Phil Parkinson looks to kick off the tour of Australia and New Zealand with a win.
The big Championship kick-off is now looming large with Wrexham just a month away from starting the new season.
Wrexham take on Southampton to open the Championship campaign, and Phil Parkinson is gearing up for that clash.
Parkinson has taken his Wrexham squad to Australia with the pre-season tour now just hours away from truly kicking off.
Wrexham’s pre-season tour kicks off with a game against Melbourne Victory, before facing Sydney FC on Tuesday.
Wellington Phoenix round off the tour as Wrexham finish off in New Zealand before heading home.
Melbourne Victory boss on facing Wrexham
Wrexham head to the aptly-named Marvel Stadium to take on Melbourne Victory, with the game taking place on Friday morning UK time.
The Marvel sponsorship deal included a superstore on-site, meaning fans will be able to pick up some Deadpool merchandise if they are particularly big Ryan Reynolds fans.
This will be a fine test for Wrexham, with Melbourne Victory coming off a fourth-place finish in the A-League last season.
Victory boss Arthur Diles has now told news.au.com that he believes the game against Wrexham hands his club a great chance to grow the brand of Australian football.
Wrexham will certainly attract eyes to Australia with this pre-season tour, even if ticket sales have been a little hit-and-miss.
Diles added that Wrexham are a ‘hot ticket’ thanks to Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, praising the club for ‘doing great things’ both on and off the pitch.
Diles even thinks that Wrexham can learn something from Victory during this tour and vice-versa, while predicting a ‘great night’ at Marvel Stadium.
“It gives us an opportunity to grow our brand and the football market of Australia internationally,” said Diles.
“Wrexham’s a hot ticket at the moment in world football. What they’ve achieved in the last three years with three consecutive promotions … they’re a club doing great things on and off the pitch.
“There are definitely things we can learn from them, and there are also definitely things they can learn from us. It’s a great night for us,” he added.
Former Wolves defender set to face Wrexham
There aren’t too many household names in the Victory side, but some Wrexham supporters may be familiar with Roderick Miranda.
The former Benfica talent joined Wolverhampton Wanderers back in 2017 and played 17 Championship games in a title-winning season.
After spells with Olympiacos, Famalicao and Gaziantep, Miranda has found a home in Melbourne.
The 34-year-old serves as Victory captain and is staying for another year after a one-year option in his contract was activated.
Miranda will battle against Wrexham’s centre forwards on Friday, and will be keen to send the Victory fans home happy with a win.