The EFL Cup second round ignites as Preston North End host Wrexham at Deepdale on August 26, 2025, with both Championship sides vying for a place in the third round. Preston’s strong league start meets Wrexham’s battling spirit, promising a competitive clash in Preston.
Scheduled for 18:45 GMT+0 on August 26, 2025, at the 23,408-capacity Deepdale, this EFL Cup second-round match will be officiated by Adam Herczeg from England. Preston North End, under Paul Heckingbottom, leverage their home dominance, while Wrexham, led by Phil Parkinson, aim to pull off an upset.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
Get set for the Preston North End vs Wrexham prediction today with our expert breakdown from BC.Game. Preston’s defensive solidity meets Wrexham’s attacking resilience, setting up a tight contest. Preston’s unbeaten run in eight head-to-heads adds intrigue. Recent performances and historical stats provide critical clues for your bets. Let’s unpack the numbers for your Preston North End vs Wrexham betting tips.
Preston North End Results
Preston North End, under Paul Heckingbottom, have started the Championship strongly, with seven points from three games, bolstered by a first-round EFL Cup win. Their home form is a key asset. Here’s a look at their last five matches across all competitions.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 23/08/25 | CHA | Preston vs Ipswich | 1-0 | W |
| 16/08/25 | CHA | Preston vs Leicester | 2-1 | W |
| 12/08/25 | EFL | Barrow vs Preston | 0-1 | W |
| 09/08/25 | CHA | QPR vs Preston | 1-1 | D |
| 26/07/25 | CF | Bolton vs Preston | 2-0 | L |
Preston’s form shows three wins, one draw, and one loss, averaging 1 goal per game, with a 1-0 win over Ipswich led by Milutin Osmajic. Their 2-1 victory over Leicester highlights resilience, conceding 0.8 goals per game. Home form, with four wins in six last season, is a strength. Their 40% BTTS rate suggests control. Daniel Jebbison’s scoring adds depth.
Wrexham Results
Wrexham, under Phil Parkinson, have struggled in the Championship but showed resilience in their EFL Cup penalty shootout win. Their attacking intent offers hope for an upset. Here’s their last five matches across all competitions.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 23/08/25 | CHA | Wrexham vs Sheffield Wed | 2-2 | D |
| 16/08/25 | CHA | Wrexham vs West Brom | 2-3 | L |
| 12/08/25 | EFL | Wrexham vs Hull | 4-3 | W |
| 09/08/25 | CHA | Southampton vs Wrexham | 2-1 | L |
| 19/07/25 | CF | Wellington Phoenix vs Wrexham | 1-0 | L |
Wrexham’s form shows one win, one draw, and three losses, averaging 1.4 goals per game, with a 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday led by Sam Smith. Their 2-3 loss to West Brom exposed defensive gaps, conceding 2 goals per game. Away form, with one win in five, is a concern. Their 80% BTTS rate suggests vulnerability. Ryan Hardie’s scoring is key.
Preston North End vs Wrexham Head-to-Head
Preston North End have dominated Wrexham, remaining unbeaten in their last eight meetings, with five wins in that span. Their games are typically low-scoring, with four of five under 2.5 goals. Here’s a look at their last five head-to-head results.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 25/03/00 | LO | Preston vs Wrexham | 1-0 |
| 26/12/99 | LO | Wrexham vs Preston | 0-0 |
| 24/08/99 | EFL | Wrexham vs Preston | 0-2 |
| 10/08/99 | EFL | Preston vs Wrexham | 1-0 |
| 30/01/99 | LO | Wrexham vs Preston | 0-5 |
Preston’s five wins, with a 9-0 goal difference, show their dominance. Wrexham’s 0-0 draw in 1999 proves their resilience. Expect a tight, low-scoring clash given current trends.
Predicted Starting Lineups for Preston North End vs Wrexham
The EFL Cup second-round clash on August 26, 2025, at Deepdale will see Preston North End and Wrexham field their strongest available squads, with these predicted lineups showcasing their tactical approaches. Preston North End aim to leverage their home dominance and strong Championship form, while Wrexham seek to pull off an upset with their battling spirit. Below are the expected starting XIs, with player positions based on the latest team news.
Preston North End Predicted Lineup
Walton (GK), Offiah (DF), Lindsey (DF), Vukcevic (DF), Valentin (DF), Thordarson (MF), Devine (MF), Carroll (MF), Dobbin (MF), Osmajic (FW), Jebbison (FW)
Wrexham Predicted Lineup
Okonkwo (GK), James (DF), O’Connell (DF), Scarr (DF), Longman (MF), Ashfield (MF), Lee (MF), McClean (MF), Evans (MF), Smith (FW), Hardie (FW)
Injured and Questionable Players
Preston North End and Wrexham face challenges with key players sidelined for their August 26, 2025, EFL Cup matchup, potentially altering the game’s dynamics. Injuries force both managers to adapt their lineups, with Wrexham particularly impacted. The table below lists unavailable players, excluding those in the predicted lineups, with their full names and reasons for absence.
| Team | Player | Reason |
| Wrexham | Liberato Cacace | Injury |
| Wrexham | George Thompson | Injury |
| Wrexham | Oliver Rathbone | Injury |
Key Factors to Watch
To craft a precise Preston North End vs Wrexham match prediction, focus on the elements that could sway this EFL Cup clash. Injuries, form, and tactical battles will shape the outcome at Deepdale. Here are eight critical points to consider.
- Preston’s Milutin Osmajic scored against Ipswich;
- Wrexham’s Sam Smith netted in their draw;
- Preston are unbeaten in three league games;
- Wrexham’s Liberato Cacace is out with injury;
- Preston won four of six home games last season;
- Wrexham conceded in all five recent games;
- Preston’s Lewis Dobbin adds attacking flair;
- Wrexham’s George Thompson is sidelined.
Free Tips on Preston North End vs Wrexham
To place smart bets on the Preston North End vs Wrexham EFL Cup clash, rely on the stats from their recent performances and Preston’s unbeaten run in eight head-to-head encounters. This August 26, 2025, second-round matchup at Deepdale pits Preston’s home dominance against Wrexham’s battling spirit. Here are five betting tips, drawn from statistical insights, to guide your wagers.
- Examine Head-to-Head Trends: Four of five recent meetings saw under 2.5 goals, with Preston winning four; consider betting on under 2.5 goals for value.
- Check Deepdale’s Pitch Conditions: The grass surface, if rain-affected, could slow Wrexham’s counters, favoring Preston’s compact setup; monitor weather updates.
- Factor in Home Fan Influence: Preston’s passionate crowd can spark early aggression; bets on a first-half Preston lead hold potential.
- Assess Wrexham’s Away Form: Wrexham have one win in five away games; Preston may dominate possession at home.
- Evaluate Referee Adam Herczeg’s Style: Known for strict officiating, Herczeg may issue cards in this competitive tie; explore prop bets on bookings.
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Preston North End vs Wrexham Prediction 2025
For the Preston North End vs Wrexham prediction 2025, we’re backing Preston North End to win 2-1. Preston’s strong start, with seven points from three Championship games and a 1-0 EFL Cup win over Barrow, led by Milutin Osmajic, gives them confidence at home, where they won four of six last season, conceding 0.8 goals per game. Wrexham’s 2-2 draw with Sheffield Wednesday, led by Sam Smith, shows resilience, but their one point from three league games and 2 goals conceded per game highlight vulnerabilities. The Preston North End vs Wrexham odds, with Preston at 1.80 and Wrexham at 4.20, reflect the hosts’ edge. Preston’s five wins in eight head-to-heads, with 80% under 2.5 goals, suggest a tight game. Wrexham’s injuries to Liberato Cacace and George Thompson weaken their lineup, while Preston’s depth with Lewis Dobbin should shine. Expect Preston to leverage their home crowd for a narrow victory in a competitive, goal-heavy cup clash.
Our Prediction: Preston North End 2-1 Wrexham
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Preston North End Win | 2.11 |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | 1.9 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 | 2.08 |
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