• Wrexham scored in nine of their final 10 League One matches last term

• Southampton have conceded in five of their six pre-season friendlies

• Recommended bet: Southampton to win & both teams score

Southampton are second favourites to win this season's Championship and they should get off to the perfect start on Saturday when hosting Wrexham.

The Saints suffered a sorry season in the Premier League last term and were relegated with just 12 points and two wins to their name.

They face a Wrexham side who are in the second tier following three straight promotions under their Hollywood owners, but there may not be a blockbuster finish to this campaign.

The Championship is a notoriously tough division to escape and consolidation may be the best the Dragons can hope for, and they may quickly find out how tough things will be on Saturday.

The latest Southampton vs Wrexham odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Aaron Ramsdale has joined Newcastle on loan so Gavin Bazunu and Alex McCarthy are vying to start in goal for Southampton.

Tyler Dibling is training away from the first team as he continues to be linked with a move away from the club, so he is unlikely to feature.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Will Smallbone and Flynn Downes are expected to miss the opener through injury.

Midfielder Lewis O’Brien and ex-Everton, Wolves and Leicester defender Conor Coady could make their debuts at St Mary’s for Wrexham.

Fellow new signings Josh Windass and Liberato Cacace could also feature.

The stats

Southampton have conceded in five of their six pre-season friendlies.

Saints won their last two meetings with Wrexham by an aggregate 8-0, but those matches were in 1980.

Wrexham scored in nine of their final 10 League One matches last term.

Southampton kept one clean sheet in their last 19 matches in all competitions last season.

Prediction

Will Still is the man charged with getting Southampton back to the Premier League and the former Lens manager can make a winning start to his tenure at St Mary's.

However, Wrexham are hugely ambitious and will be buoyed by three-straight promotions and the fact they are just one step away from the big time.

The Dragons will be fired up and they can play their part in a lively contest, which may see Southampton win a contest in which both teams score.

Goals and points were hard to come by for the Saints last season but things should be much more to their liking back in the second tier and they can make the most of their new lease of life.

Despite that, clean sheets have been hard to come by in pre-season and five of their last six matches have seen them concede at least once.

A home win with goals at each end looks the best bet in this Championship opener.

Back Southampton to win and both teams score at 5/2 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Southampton vs Wrexham odds are available on LiveScore Bet