The tactical battle at St Mary's Stadium will likely see Southampton dominate possession, testing a Wrexham side whose resilience will be examined at a higher level. For the Saints, this is a chance to set the tone for their promotion campaign. The quality of players like Adam Armstrong, accustomed to a higher tier of football, should be a deciding factor against a Championship newcomer. The home side's main challenge will be translating their new manager's philosophy into a cohesive performance from the first whistle and avoiding any complacency against a team riding a wave of unprecedented momentum. For Wrexham, this match is a baptism of fire. Their remarkable journey has been built on team spirit and a knack for finding ways to win, but the Championship is a significant leap in quality. Their pre-season has been mixed, and more concerningly, they arrive with a lengthy list of injuries to crucial players. Without key personnel in midfield and attack, their ability to both contain Southampton and pose a consistent threat is significantly compromised. They will likely focus on a disciplined defensive shape and look to exploit any chances on the counter or from set-plays, where they have historically been strong. Ultimately, while the romance of the Wrexham story is compelling, the pragmatism of squad depth and quality, especially given the visitors' injury woes, points towards a hard-fought victory for Southampton.