Double Chance - Middlesbrough or Wrexham
The summer preparation has seen Kim Hellberg's side go winless in their recognised pre-season fixtures against Espanyol, Huddersfield Town and Celtic, respectively. This run has extended Middlesbrough's winless run to eight games since the disastrous form which cost them promotion last season.
The two sides could not be separated in the league last season in the head-to-head meetings, with a draw each, so a similar trend is likely to happen here.
Anytime Goalscorer - Will Lankshear
Will Lankshear ended his campaign with Oxford United last season, with two goals in his final two league matches and three goal contributions in his final five league games. As well as this, Lankshear averaged 1.3 shots per game, finding the target with 0.5 per 90.
Lankshear had a great record in the Under-21s for Tottenham Hotspur. The former Oxford United man, scored an incredible 23 goals in 23 games in the Premier League 2 for Spurs in 2023/24 and with Middlesbrough spending big money on the young striker, expect him to feature from the start in this Carabao Cup tie against Wrexham.
George Dobson to be carded
The midfield battle will be decisive in this fixture. Hayden Hackney will be a huge loss for Middlesbrough following his move to Everton, although they have retained the services of Morgan Whittaker for the time being.
For Wrexham, the likes of Lewis O’Brien and George Thomason are expected to provide for the Welsh side. One midfielder who is likely to be involved in the action is George Dobson and we have selected him to be booked for this fixture. George Dobson was on the receiving end of eight yellow cards in the Championship last season. The former Sunderland man averaged a foul per game and 2.3 tackles per 90. Dobson was booked at the Riverside last season.
Luke Ayling to be carded
Luke Ayling received the most bookings of any Middlesbrough player last season with 11 to his name in the Championship. The former Leeds United man averaged two tackles per 90 last season and was booked against Southampton in the semi-finals of the playoffs.