Middlesbrough vs Wrexham betting tips and predictions: Cup clash kickstarts campaign

Middlesbrough and Wrexham meet in a heavyweight clash in the EFL Cup first round on Friday night.

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham betting tips

• Both teams to score in 1st half – Yes – 16/5 with BOYLE Sports
• Sam Smith to score anytime – 13/5 with Betfred
• Over 2.5 goals in the game – 4/6 with BOYLE Sports

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham predicted lineups

Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Brynn (GK); Brittain, Ayling, Daley, Borges, Malanda, Castledine; Whittaker, Sarmiento, Peart-Harris; Strelec

Wrexham (4-3-2-1): Okonkwo (GK); Imray, Hyam, Cleworth, Longman, O’Brien, M. James, Thomason; Cadamarteri, Broadhead; Smith

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham head to head overview

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham prediction

It was only a matter of months ago that these two clubs met in a final day Championship showdown with playoff positions on the line.

The match ended in a helter-skelter 2-2 draw, which consolidated Boro’s playoff position but put pay to any hope of promotion for Wrexham.

But fast forward to present day and it’s all about the cup as the 2026/27 season officially gets underway in the EFL this week.

Both clubs have bolstered their squads to go again and a cup run always galvanises a fan base, whether a club is going for promotion, battling relegation or in mid-table.

While both sides will want to win this game, it’ll be a good yardstick for both their respective seasons.

Wrexham have been tuning up with pre-season matches against Premier League opposition in Man Utd, Leeds and Sunderland – winning two of those three.

Middlesbrough had to lick their wounds from a playoff final defeat to Hull at the end of last season. Drawing 3-3 with La Liga club Espanyol last week.

The pair have played out a draw in both their matches last season. Another stalemate may well be played out at the Riverside on Friday – which means extra time.

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham best bets

Quick-fire starts

In both meetings in the Championship last season, both the away sides broke the deadlock inside the first 10 minutes.

Silencing the raucous Riverside home crowd will be pivotal to Wrexham’s fate in this one.

In the 2-2 draw on the final day, all four goals came in the first half. And we’re backing both teams to find the onion bag in the opening 45 minutes again on Friday.

Smith to be on song

Wrexham striker Sam Smith has just signed a new deal at the Welsh club that will keep him in north Wales for another three years.

He impressed last season with a great goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup and hit double figures in the second-tier. No mean feat.

The 28-year-old should lead the line for his side on Friday and will be a danger to the Boro backline at all times.

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham latest odds

Find the latest Middlesbrough vs Wrexham betting odds here, odds courtesy of Midnite and are subject to change.

• Middlesbrough – 4/6
• Draw – 14/5
• Wrexham – 29/10

More EFL predictions

Find more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match previews for the start of the new season!

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