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The matches in England are coming in quick succession, with the first round of the EFL Cup kicking off on Tuesday, shortly after teams in the country’s second, third and fourth divisions open their seasons with league matches this weekend.
In one of the standout matchups of the first round, League One side Wrexham travel to Championship team Sheffield United on Tuesday, one of the few potential mismatches on the agenda this week. The teams are closer together in the English football pyramid than last season, when Sheffield were the worst team in the Premier League and Wrexham second best in League Two. However, Tuesday’s match offers an opportunity for an ambitious Wrexham side to show how high they can currently go as they look to continue a very public upward trajectory.
Here’s what you need to know before you tune in.
How to watch and odds
- Date: Tuesday August 12 | Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Location: Bramall Lane – Sheffield, England
- Live stream: Biggest+CBS Sports Golazo Network
- Chances: Sheffield United 140; Sign +330; Wrexham +330
Storylines
Sheffield United: The Blades returned to the Championship on a high with a 2-0 win over Preston North End on Friday. Although perhaps the most memorable development from that match was the departure of Ryan Lowe as Preston manager after just one game, Sheffield did well to take their chances in a fairly even match. Sheffield had 55% of the ball and made eleven shots, one fewer than Preston, although they may want to improve on the three shots on target they posted in their first game. Gustavo Hamer, who scored five goals in the Premier League last season, was on the scoresheet against Preston and looks destined to play a big role this season and may do so in Tuesday’s EFL Cup match.
Wrexham: After back-to-back promotions, Wrexham started their season in League One with a dramatic 3-2 win over Wycombe at home. Despite being at a slight disadvantage in possession and being outshot 13 to 19, the Red Dragons were a little more clinical in front of goal, putting six shots on target, while Wycombe put just four on frame, ultimately outplaying the opposition. Premier League veteran Steven Fletcher was among the goalscorers this weekend, providing an important follow-up to his eight-goal performance last season. Whether or not they are able to produce another high-scoring performance against a team a full division above them is the big question, while their less-than-ideal defensive performance against Wycombe could spell trouble against Sheffield.
Prediction
As a team that feels like it is in the Premier League and has ambitions of being back there in a year’s time, Sheffield has the advantage over a Wrexham team that is equally ambitious but is undoubtedly at an earlier stage of the process. Expect Sheffield to act accordingly and return to the second round in a fairly easy game. Choose: Sheffield United 2, Wrexham 0