Wrexham take on Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship on Saturday, in the Dragons’ first 3pm kick-off of the new season.
Crisis club Sheffield Wednesday head to the Racecourse on Saturday afternoon for what promises to be a tough game for both sides.
So far this season both Wrexham and Sheffield Wednesday have lost their opening two Championship games of the campaign.
Last time out, Wrexham lost 3-2 at home to West Brom whilst Sheffield Wednesday lost 3-0 against Stoke City.
The Owls have lost a number of first-team players this summer including Josh Windass who signed for Wrexham on a free transfer, with Wednesday having struggled to pay players on time.
Also under a transfer embargo, Wednesday are likely to field a number of youth players on Saturday with first-team goalkeeper Pierce Charles injured, meaning the Owls may field an untested goalkeeper at the Racecourse.
Wrexham’s George Dobson expecting tough Sheffield Wednesday fixture
Speaking to Leader Live ahead of the weekend, Wrexham midfielder George Dobson gave his verdict on the game.
Dobson revealed how he watched Sheffield Wednesday’s season opener against relegated Leicester City at the King Power. That game, Sheffield Wednesday took an unexpected lead before eventually losing 2-1 after Barry Bannon was sent off.
Wrexham favourite Dobson then explained how he expects a tough game from Sheffield Wednesday, and he iterated how Wrexham need to show a bit more ‘defensive nous’ to get the result.
He said: “I watched their game against Leicester and they were the much better team in the first half so it’s definitely not going to be an easy game. We’ve just got to keep the level of performance but just that little bit more defensive nous and I’m sure the result will come.”
Expert backs Wrexham to get the win over Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking ahead of the weekend, EFL expert Sam Parkin gave a score prediction for Wrexham against Sheffield Wednesday. Unlike many others, he is expecting the Owls to struggle not only in the game in North Wales but across the overall season.
Parkin predicted a 1-0 Wrexham win, saying: “I just think it will be too difficult, although it’s three-sided at the moment, isn’t it, the Racecourse. So maybe not the atmosphere that it was last season but I still think they’ll be too good for Sheffield Wednesday, I’ll go for a solitary victory 1-0.”
For Phil Parkinson’s side, it’s a great chance to get all three points, though they are certainly hindered by the recent injury to Windass who faces up to six weeks on the sidelines with a muscle injury.
But the Dragons will also be buoyed by what will likely be Nathan Broadhead’s first start following his £10m move from Ipswich Town, along with the possibility that Callum Doyle features too.
Wrexham have signed Doyle in an £8m deal from Man City and he could well slot straight into the defence, potentially alongside Conor Coady and Max Cleworth in a back three.
Kick-off on Saturday is at 3pm.