Eng. Championship
2026-09-19 - Wrexham vs Southampton
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Saturday 19th September 2026 - Kick Off 3pm
Wrexham
The high profile owners of Wrexham Football Club have long spoken about investing enough to eventually take them from non-League into the Premier League. Promotions have come easy for Wrexham in recent years, but the step from the Championship to the top flight is the most difficult and a 6-0 loss at West Ham United is a timely reminder of the gap that has to be bridged.
There had been some pressure on Phil Parkinson as manager of the club last season, although he had enough goodwill in the bank to give him more time. After the defeat at the London Stadium, some Wrexham fans may be once again wondering if Parkinson is the man to help the team take the next step. The Red Dragons are 19th in the Championship table after the latest set of results and Wrexham have a 0-2-1 record at the Racecourse Ground.
Wrexham have won 1 of the last 10 games played in all competitions, although they had been unbeaten in 3 Championship fixtures before the heavy loss at the London Stadium. The side have not won any of the last 4 at home in the League, but Wrexham have also drawn 3 of those matches.
Southampton
If it wasn't for the four point penalty with which Southampton have begun the season, Tonda Eckert's team would be joint top of the table with West Ham United and only behind them on goal difference. Promotion is still the target for Southampton, even after starting behind every other club in the Championship, and they will be looking for one more big performance and result before the international break.
Instead of being 2nd in the Championship table, Southampton will begin this weekend in 9th place with 10 points on the board. Those have largely been earned at St Mary's and The Saints will be travelling to Wales with a 0-2-1 away record.
Southampton were beaten in the League Cup Second Round by West Ham United, but a 4-1 win over Bristol City last weekend means they are unbeaten in 6 League fixtures. The Saints opened the season with a 2-1 loss at Watford, but have had to settle for a 1-1 draws at Birmingham City and Lincoln City in the Championship since then.
Head to Head
Southampton beat Wrexham in both League games played last season, including thumping them 1-5 here in April.
Wrexham have only hosted Southampton on 4 occasions and they have been beaten in 3 of those, although the exception did end in a home win.
Prediction
Last week was a reminder to Wrexham fans about the gap to bridge to Premier League level opponents, but there are big expectations around the club and that puts pressure on Phil Parkinson.
He needs a positive response, but Wrexham have another tough assignment when facing Southampton.
Last season, Wrexham were beaten 1-5 at home by Southampton, although the visiting team have not really reached the level on their travels as they have achieved at St Mary's. Goals are being scored very easily at home, but Southampton have not scored more than a single goal in any of the 3 away Championship games played this season.
Southampton have not been as confident in the final third in the away games played, but the defensive numbers have been similar to the fixtures played at St Mary's.
Those are numbers that should give Wrexham confidence, but moving past the 6-0 defeat at West Ham United will be very challenging.
Form at the Racecourse Ground has been a touch disappointing early in the season, which builds pressure, but both teams are capable of getting on the scoreboard in this one.
A 1-1 scoreline could be the result that scuppers the selection, but both fixtures between Wrexham and Southampton ended with at least three goals shared out last season and that could be the case again.
The Pick :
Wrexham 2-1 Southampton
