The Saints have dropped down into the division, and the Red Dragons have come up. Will Still’s men have the advantage, especially on home soil?
Best bets for Southampton vs Wrexham
All odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and subject to change.
- Southampton to win and over 2.5 goals @ 17/10 on bet365
- Both teams to score at odds @ 5/6 with bet365
- Adam Armstrong as anytime goalscorer @ 6/4with bet365
Home advantage plus experience
Southampton have won only two games last season in a disastrous campaign that saw them finish rock bottom of the Premier League. Not only did they struggle to score goals, but they also struggled to prevent them. Additionally, they have ended up with a new manager, Will Still, but a new leaf has been turned. So far, they’ve kept a lot of their big players, which certainly bodes well.
There are injury concerns, such as with Taylor-Harwood Bellis, but the Saints have plenty of depth. They may still lose players like Tyler Dibling, Mateus Fernandes, and Armel Bella-Kotchap. However, they’ll have the power to replace them even if they do. Also, Still’s side have plenty of Championship experience.
As Wrexham figure things out in the second tier, the hosts will want to take advantage.
- Southampton vs Wrexham Bet 1: Southampton to win and over 2.5 goals @ 17/10 with bet365
Wrexham are always a threat
On paper, the Saints should be too strong for their Welsh counterparts, but Wrexham are known for scoring goals. They have failed to score in only nine games across all competitions last season. On top of that, they’ve signed experienced Championship forwards this summer. The home side’s defence must be on their guard.
Of course, the visitors’ defence can be breached. Also, they didn’t have the best defensive record last season, but they will try to give as much as they get. The arrival of Josh Windass, Kieffer Moore, and Ryan Hardie certainly gives them many attacking options.
While they may lose, and are probably expected to, Parkinson will be disappointed if they don’t score one goal at least.
- Southampton vs Wrexham Bet 2: Both teams to score at odds @ 5/6 with bet365
A proven goalscorer
Adam Armstrong knows where the back of the net is. He scored 21 goals in 46 Championship games in his last full season, and he’s got 80 at this level over the years. The 28-year-old is expected to be a key part of Still’s plan to return the Saints to the Premier League.
Southampton have plenty of creators, which Armstrong might not have had during his loan at West Bromwich Albion in 2024/25. He’s proven that he can be lethal when finishing things off. He’s expected to lead their line as he aims for 100 Championship goals, and is certainly a player that Wrexham need to keep an eye on.
- Southampton vs Wrexham Bet 3: Adam Armstrong as anytime goalscorer @ 6/4 with bet365
Southampton vs Wrexham Preview: Saints dealt high-flying Robins test
Southampton head into the 2025/26 campaign as one of the favourites to back up to the Premier League, with this coming despite their horrific showing in the top flight last campaign.
The Saints finished with the second-lowest points total in PL history after they amassed just 12 points throughout the whole season, with Wrexham's fortunes being the exact opposite.
The Red Dragons have made history over the past few years by achieving three back-to-back promotions from non-league to the Championship, with some fans and critics tipping Welsh side to make it to the PL this time around.
Wrexham, much like Birmingham, have been ambitious in the transfer window this summer, signing the likes of Kieffer Moore, Conor Coady and Lewis O'Brien, all players that should help them stabilise themselves in the second tier this term at the minimum.
The south coast side are clear favourites to win today at 3/4 with bet365, a fair price given how strong their squad is going into this season.
The likes of Adam Armstrong, Mateus Fernandes, Jack Stephens, Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz, Ross Stewart and Tyler Dibling are all still on the books at St Mary's, hence why they're tipped by many to bounce back at the first time of asking this season.
Probable lineups for Southampton vs Wrexham
Southampton expected lineup: Bazunu, Sugawara, Edwards, Quarshie, Manning, Charles, Downes, Fraser, Archer, Downs, Armstrong
Wrexham expected lineup: Okonkwo, Cleworth, Coady, Brunt, Longman, Dobson, James, O’Brien, Cacace, Windass, Moore