The new season begins under the lights at the Riverside Stadium on Friday as Middlesbrough and Wrexham put league ambitions to one side in pursuit of an early place in the second round of the EFL Cup.

Only three months have passed since the clubs shared the points in a dramatic Championship finale, but this meeting offers a fresh opportunity for both sides to build momentum before the league campaign begins. Middlesbrough are hoping to erase memories of last season’s humiliating first-round exit, while Wrexham are looking to continue the remarkable progress that has carried them from League Two to the Championship in just a few years.

With both clubs strengthened over the summer and neither wanting an early setback, this promises to be a competitive start to the new campaign.

Middlesbrough are entering a new chapter

Last season ended with disappointment, but Middlesbrough have wasted little time reshaping the squad. Kim Hellberg has overseen significant changes during the summer, with several established players departing and a fresh group arriving to strengthen a side still expected to challenge near the top of the Championship. Sebastian Berhalter, Max Arfsten, Jeremy Sarmiento and Will Lankshear all bring different qualities, although it may take time before the squad reaches full cohesion.

Pre-season results have reflected that transition. Boro remained unbeaten for much of the summer but rarely found complete fluency, finishing with three draws and a defeat. Their entertaining 3-3 draw against Espanyol highlighted both the attacking potential within the squad and the defensive improvements still required before the Championship gets underway.

Friday also presents an opportunity to correct a recent trend. Middlesbrough have suffered three first-round exits in the last five editions of this competition, including last season’s heavy defeat against Doncaster. That record is unlikely to sit comfortably with a club whose ambitions stretch well beyond the opening round.

Wrexham have shown they belong at this level

The fairytale may have paused last season, but it certainly has not ended. Missing the Championship play-offs by only two points represented another impressive step forward for Phil Parkinson’s side, particularly considering it was the club’s first campaign at this level for more than four decades.

Rather than settling for consolidation, Wrexham have approached the summer with the same ambition that has driven their rise through the divisions. Recruitment has been sensible rather than spectacular, while the fixture list offered demanding preparation against high-quality opposition.

Victories over Manchester United and Leeds United during pre-season will have boosted confidence, even if friendly results should never be overstated. More importantly, Wrexham continued to demonstrate the organisation, work ethic and resilience that have become defining features under Parkinson.

There are still fitness concerns. Ryan Hardie remains unavailable, while Elliot Lee, Ben Sheaf and Josh Windass all face late assessments. Even so, Wrexham travel knowing they have already proved capable of matching Middlesbrough after taking four points from the two league meetings last season.

Verdict

Neither manager is likely to reveal everything before the Championship campaign begins, but both will be keen to avoid an immediate cup exit.

Middlesbrough perhaps possess the greater attacking depth, particularly at home, but they are still adapting to a number of new arrivals and have yet to hit top gear during pre-season. Wrexham, by contrast, look every bit as organised and competitive as they did throughout last season.

It would be no surprise if another tight contest develops between two evenly matched Championship sides, with very little separating them over 90 minutes.

Tip

Draw.