The 2025/26 Championship campaign gets underway this weekend, and we have two of the most intriguing clubs clashing on the opening day at St Mary’s.
Southampton, following their humiliating relegation from the Premier League last season, have now appointed famed English-Belgian coach Will Still, as they seek an immediate return to the top-flight once again.
Wrexham head down to the south coast on the back of a remarkable run of three successive automatic promotions. Backed by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, Phil Parkinson’s Dragons now take on their toughest test.
The Sporting News has you covered with a full preview and the latest tips and odds for this one, as Southampton and Wrexham do battle in the Championship.
MORE: Full betting preview and predictions for Championship season 2025/26
Southampton vs. Wrexham Championship prediction
Southampton are heading into the second tier with what is still an extremely strong squad, albeit their transfer business has been slow.
Wrexham have spent heavily once again, as they try and quickly become a team that can be competitive at this level.
Southampton have to remain favourites here, albeit Wrexham will likely make it very tough, and Saints are priced up at odds of 7/10 with Betrino, whilst Wrexham are out at 37/10 with the draw is at 276/100.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Southampton 1-0 Wrexham
- Southampton are rated as a 58.8% implied chance to beat Wrexham by Betrino for this Championship clash.
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Southampton vs. Wrexham predicted lineups
Southampton predicted lineup (3-4-2-1, right to left)
- Bazunu (GK) — Quarshie, Stephens, Taylor — Sugawara, Charles, Smallbone, Manning — Fernandes, Aribo — Archer
Injured: Harwood-Bellis (foot), Edozie (wrist, doubt)
Suspended: None
Wrexham predicted lineup (3-4-1-2, right to left)
- Okonkwo (GK) — Cleworth, Coady, O’Connor — Cacace, James, O’Brien, McClean — Windass — Moore, Smith
Injured: Thomason (thigh), Cannon (ankle), Cannon (doubt), Rodriguez (doubt)
Suspended: None
Southampton vs. Wrexham latest odds, correct score betting
Our 1-0 prediction is at good odds with SpreadEx, but there are plenty of other possible scorelines that are worth looking at to add some value. Here's some of the most likely according to the bookmakers.
Result | Odds* |
Southampton 1-0 | |
Draw 1-1 | |
Southampton 2-0 | |
Southampton 2-1 | |
Draw 0-0 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Back your correct score pick with SpreadEx to Get £60 in Free Bets when you Bet £10
Southampton vs. Wrexham team news
- Will Still has a lot to figure out and quickly. Mateus Fernandes is linked with a move away from Southampton, so weighing up whether to start the season with him is a big decision, and the same goes for Tyler Dibling.
- Phil Parkinson is likely to go with the same 3-5-2 or 3-4-1-2 system that he has, with an incredible amount of strikers in the final third. Both Conor Coady and Kieffer Moore could make their Wrexham debuts this weekend.
Southampton vs. Wrexham Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this clash is at just under 5/1 with Betrino, and has BTTS – No and Wrexham to have more corners than Southampton.
You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
Will Still is what would be described as a progressive, modern day coach, but the former Lens and Stade de Reims boss can also be criticised for being too controlled.
That, with a new club in a new league in a new country, is likely to lead to Saints needing time to gel as they get used to his style, and against a Wrexham side that have already battened down the hatches for the last six months under Parkinson, it is unlikely to be a game in which the teams trade blows and goals.
As for the corners, though, Wrexham will be aware that their lesser technical quality means that their already excellent set-piece capabilities is of even more importance this season and this weekend, so backing them to have the most corners, almost as a tactical priority, is good value.
How to watch Southampton vs. Wrexham: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Saturday, August 9
- Venue: St Mary’s, Southampton, England
- Time: 12:30 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports, Sky Go