Preview: Wrexham vs Hull City – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

Wrexham will get their EFL Cup campaign underway when they clash with fellow Championship side Hull City at the Racecourse in the first round on Tuesday.

The Red Dragons fell 2-1 to Southampton in their opening fixture of the season, while the visiting side could only manage a 0-0 draw against Coventry City.

Match preview

Wrexham’s much-anticipated return to the second tier of English football, after a 43-year absence, did not go as planned, as they suffered a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat at the hands of Southampton last weekend.

The Welsh side got in front courtesy of a Josh Windass effort from the spot in the 22nd minute, but two goals from Ryan Manning in the 90th minute and Jack Stephens six minutes later completed the turnaround.

That outcome extended their losing streak to four matches across all competitions, with eight goals conceded and six scored in that period.

Despite the defeat, Phil Parkinson will be satisfied that his team were in front for most of the encounter, but more has to be done on Tuesday if they are to go beyond the first round of the competition for the first time in three seasons.

Indeed, the manager can count on the experience of the likes of Kieffer Moore and Conor Coady when they take to the field on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, the 2024-25 season was a torrid one for Hull City, who needed a final-day draw at Portsmouth to keep their place in the English second tier.

Following that tumultuous campaign, Bosnian Sergej Jakirovic was appointed after the dismissal of the former coach Ruben Selles.

In his first competitive game in charge, he led his team to a 0-0 stalemate at Coventry City to begin his reign at the helm of the Tigers.

While the home side splashed the cash in the summer, the East Yorkshire side could only bring in free agents, as they are currently enduring a transfer ban until January 2027.

Despite their travails, the visitors remain unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, a run that includes four wins and three draws, scoring seven goals and conceding five.

Wrexham form (all competitions):

Hull City form (all competitions):

Team News

Both teams head into this first round EFL Cup with no injury worries, meaning both coaches have the luxury of full squads at their disposal.

Up front, Moore will likely keep his place at the top end, despite failing to score in their last outing at the weekend.

Windass, who scored his side’s only goal against Southampton, is another player who could be involved from the start.

Between the sticks, Arthur Okonkwo, who was left out last weekend in favour of Danny Ward, could get a recall into the team.

For Hull City, Charlie Hughes and Semi Ajayi are expected to continue their partnership at the heart of the defence, while Ivor Pandur will continue in goal.

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Cleworth, Coady, Brunt; Cacace, O’Brien, James, Dobson, Barnett; Windass, Moore

Hull City possible starting lineup:

Pandur; Drameh, Ajayi, Hughes, Giles; Crooks, Lundstram; Kamara, Slater, Nada; Joseph

We say: Wrexham 1-1 Hull City

Despite not being able to bring in the desired players due to a transfer ban, Hull appears to be a well-oiled machine under the current manager. However, Wrexham can be dangerous on their day; therefore, we predict this match will end in a 1-1 draw.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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