Wrexham vs Wolves U21 Prediction: Welsh side can make light work of youngsters

The EFL Trophy continues on Tuesday night as clubs from League 1 and League 2 look to battle their way to Wembley. There are also U21 teams from the Premier League taking part, and our focus for midweek comes from one of the games featuring these academy stars.   

Below you can find my Wrexham vs Wolves U21 prediction, featuring team news and betting tips.

Team News

Wrexham are expected to make wholesale changes for this one, given the EFL Trophy sits near the bottom of their priority list this term. The likes of James McClean, who scored twice on Saturday, Ollie Palmer, Jack Marriott, Elliott Lee and goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo will all be rested, as Phil Parkinson focuses his attention on their League 1 campaign. 

Football Odds

He could revert back to the team that beat Port Vale 2-1 in the first game of the group stage, which saw Callum Burton play in goal, Jacob Mendy start at left wing-back and Paul Mullin start up front. Wrexham’s hitman had to settle for a place on the bench in the win over Northampton on Saturday, so perhaps he will start this one as he looks to cement his place in the starting XI. 

Meanwhile, Wolves U21 beat Everton U21 4-2 this weekend, and are likely to name the same XI in this one. Daniel Angel Mangue led the line and scored again, while Leonardo Lopes is a promising young winger at the age of 19. Also just 19, former Man City youngster Matthew Whittingham will lead the side in central midfield as they search for back-to-back wins. 

Wrexham vs Wolves U21 Odds

The Welsh side are heavy favourites to win this game, priced at 1/9 to take all three points. Wolves U21 are available at 14/1, a draw is priced at 6/1 and over 2.5 goals is 2/5. 

Wrexham to win and BTTS @ 9/5

The odds on Wrexham to win this game are not worth backing given they are so short, but I do think there is value to be had here. The League 1 side, even if they play their second-string, will have too much for this team of academy players and they should win the game comfortably. The likes of Mullin and Steven Fletcher will likely get some minutes, and they will simply have too much experience, physicality and quality for this young back line. 

However, with changes likely to be made in goal and in defence by Parkinson, I think we can back Wolves U21 to nick a goal. They scored four against Everton U21 at the weekend and perhaps more importantly, drew 2-2 with Port Vale in the first game of the EFL Trophy. They lost the bonus point on penalties, but it will have given them confidence that they can compete with these EFL sides. Wrexham are clearly a step up on Vale, so I’d expect a defeat, but perhaps they can nick a goal with their attacking quality.  

Wrexham 3-1 Wolves U21 @ 9/1

I think it’s worth us picking out a correct score to try and boost our odds. I’m pretty sure that Wrexham will win this game comfortably, and score a few goals in the process. Maybe I’ve underestimated them by having them down to score three at the Racecourse, but I don’t know how much desire there will be on show here. 

The crowd is likely to be quiet, and it could take on a pre-season feel, especially on a dark Tuesday night in Wales. Given the nature of the competition and the opponent, none of the fans in attendance will be particularly bothered by the result. So I doubt Wrexham will have their foot on the gas for the full 90, and as such, I think there is some value in backing the home side to win 3-1. 

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