Promotion Ambitions Clash: Southampton Host Newcomers Wrexham in Championship Opener | OneFootball

Southampton kick off the new Championship season on the South Coast, hosting newcomers Wrexham in what promises to be a thrilling opener between two sides with serious promotion aspirations.

Background and Build-Up

Gameweek 1 is never a true indicator of how the season will unfold, but both sides will be looking to start strong and build form as soon as possible. The story of Luton Town’s disastrous relegation last season could be lingering in the back of Southampton’s mind. A win could ease the pressure for the fans, manager Will Still, and most notably, the players, whose self-belief undoubtedly dwindled over the past year.

Wrexham are quite the opposite, however. After gaining three consecutive promotions, confidence is brewing, and they’ll be looking to add a fourth to cap off their fairytale story. While head coach Phil Parkinson has gained six promotions throughout his managerial career, of which three were into the Championship, he has never reached the Premier League – a task that he will relish, though it will prove more difficult than ever before.

Southampton are back where they were two years ago. They are slowly transitioning into a “yo-yo” team, which could lead to inevitable failure unless stability is found. While the Saints are having their second reset in three years, Wrexham have been consistently improving, and this season is no different. Signing the likes of Connor Coady and Kieffer Moore brings second-tier experience to a side that hasn’t featured in this division for over 40 years.

The two sides last met in a league competition in April 1960, resulting in Wrexham winning 2-1, with the most recent encounter in any competition taking place in the 1979-80 League Cup, which saw the Welsh club fall to an 8-0 aggregate defeat.

Pre-Season

Southampton kicked off their pre-season with a win over local side Eastleigh before heading to Spain for a training camp. There, they played out a 1-1 draw with La Liga 2 side CD Castellón – a match that revealed areas for improvement while offering opportunities to players previously thought to be on the fringes. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was a standout performer. The Spanish camp concluded with a 2-1 defeat to Espanyol, in which summer signing Damion Downs marked his debut with a goal shortly after coming on.

Back in England, the Saints wrapped up their pre-season by battling back to earn a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. Youngster Jay Robinson sparked the comeback and, alongside Gavin Bazunu, has staked a significant claim to start this Saturday.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: Will Still, Manager of Southampton looks on prior to the pre-season friendly match between Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion at St Mary’s Stadium on August 02, 2025 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Wrexham began their pre-season on a high note with convincing wins over Lincoln City and Melbourne Victory. However, after overcoming one Australian side, they fell to defeats against Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix. Their final friendly, played in the Netherlands, saw them outclassed by Groningen in a 3-1 loss.

Team News

Southampton

Southampton will be without several players ahead of the upcoming fixture. Will Smallbone misses out with a calf injury, while James Bree and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are also sidelined. The latter continues to build up his match fitness and could return as early as next week, offering competition to Southampton’s already well-stocked central defence.

Transfer speculation has ruled out Tyler Dibling, Samuel Edozie, and Joe Aribo from involvement, as all three remain linked with moves away from St Mary’s. Their absence opens the door for others in the squad to stake a claim ahead of the new season.

Midfielder Mateus Fernandes is included in the 20-man squad, as is Flynn Downes, though the Englishman is unlikely to feature from the start.

Wrexham

Wrexham aren’t without their injuries, though, as forwards Sam Smith and Jay Rodriguez both missed significant parts of Wrexham’s pre-season, while experienced midfielder Ollie Rathbone is set to miss the start of the campaign. This is a result of an ankle ligament injury he faced during the club’s tour of Australia.

New signing George Thomson is also a doubt for the trip to the South Coast after picking up a thigh injury; he is due to undergo a scan to assess the extent of the problem.

Phil Parkinson further admitted the injuries have disrupted Wrexham’s build-up but stressed that other teams, like Southampton, will be facing similar issues. Despite the setbacks, he remained positive about the squad’s preparation, highlighting the importance of integrating new signings while keeping faith with players who have grown with the club.

Southampton – Bazunu; Sugawara, Stephens (C), Edwards, Welington; Charles, Fernandes; Armstrong, Fraser, Robinson; Archer

Wrexham – Ward; O’Connell, Coady, Brunt; O’Brien, Lee, Longman, Cacace, McClean (C); Hardie, Windass

Players To Watch

Jay Robinson: On the South Coast, one name has been circling amongst all fans: Jay Robinson. A product of the academy, the 18-year-old winger has been the standout performer throughout pre-season, consistently providing a spark in the final third. With uncertainty surrounding Tyler Dibling’s future at St Mary’s, supporters will be hoping Robinson can step into that role, the kind of player who gets them off their seats. There’s little doubt he’ll feature on Saturday, with his creativity likely to be key in unlocking Wrexham’s defence.

Conor Coady: The Englishman’s arrival has added crucial leadership and experience to Wrexham’s back line. The former Wolves captain, who has accumulated over 300 appearances across the Premier League and Championship, brings defensive quality and composure that could prove essential against a high-intensity side like Southampton. With Wrexham entering a new chapter in the second tier, Coady’s experience and potential influence in that central centre-back role will be critical as the season goes on.

What to Expect

This is the ideal early-season test for both teams. It’s a chance to measure pre-season progress in a pressurised environment and assess how close they are to hitting their intended standards for the upcoming season.

With both teams still ironing out flaws and showing flashes of quality, a high-energy draw wouldn’t be a surprise. Both sides possess attacking threats, but defensive lapses seem inevitable. The game should be open and fast-paced, featuring moments of brilliance and end-to-end football.

Overall, a 2-2 result feels like a fair and fitting prediction to kick off their respective seasons in the EFL Championship.