Preview: Preston North End vs Wrexham - prediction, team news, lineups

Two Championship sides will lock horns in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening, with Preston North End welcoming Wrexham to Deepdale.

The hosts were 1-0 winners over Barrow in the previous round of the competition, while the visitors secured their spot at this stage courtesy of a penalty-shootout success over Hull City.

Match preview

Preston have made a solid start to their 2025-26 campaign, picking up seven points from their three league matches to sit sixth in the Championship table.

The Lilywhites opened their season with a 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers, but they have since beaten Leicester City and Ipswich Town to move onto seven points, and their last two victories were incredibly impressive considering that they came against two teams relegated from the Premier League last term.

Paul Heckingbottom's side were 1-0 winners over Barrow in the first round of this season's EFL Cup, meanwhile, and they will now be bidding to overcome a fellow Championship outfit to reach round three.

Preston have never won the League Cup, but they have lifted the FA Cup on two occasions, triumphing in 1889 and 1938, and it would not be a surprise to see them enjoy a strong run in this season's EFL Cup.

The Lilywhites are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Wrexham in all competitions, including a 1-0 victory when the two teams last locked horns in March 2000.

As for Wrexham, life in the Championship has been challenging thus far, with a total of one point from three matches leaving them down in 19th spot in the table.

The Welsh outfit opened their season with a 2-1 defeat to Southampton, and they were then beaten at home by West Bromwich Albion before drawing 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Phil Parkinson's side were two goals ahead against Sheffield Wednesday, but the visitors answered back with two goals of their own in the second period to secure a share of the spoils.

Wrexham beat Hull on penalties in the first round of the EFL Cup, and they will now be looking to secure what would be a confidence-boosting victory over a fellow second-tier outfit.

The Red Dragons have not managed to overcome Preston since a Division Two clash in October 1997, but they have posted 10 victories against Tuesday's opponents in their previous 35 encounters.

Preston North End EFL Cup form:

Preston North End form (all competitions):

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Wrexham EFL Cup form:

Wrexham form (all competitions):

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Team News

Preston head coach Heckingbottom will make changes to his starting side for this match, with Jack Walton in line to feature between the sticks, while Daniel Jebbison is also set to be introduced.

The home side have not reported any fresh injury concerns from Saturday's contest against Ipswich.

Due to the relatively quick turnaround, Heckingbottom will shuffle his pack, with Lewis Dobbin and Liam Lindsay also set to be among those introduced into the side.

As for Wrexham, Liberato Cacace, George Thompson and Oliver Rathbone will be missing through injury.

Arthur Okonkwo started against Hull in the last round of the competition, and he is set to be among the changes on Tuesday, with Eoghan O'Connell also in line to start at the back.

Sam Smith and Ryan Hardie are also expected to feature as the front two, with Nathan Broadhead and Kieffer Moore set to drop to the bench for the League Cup fixture.

Preston North End possible starting lineup:

Walton; Offiah, Lindsey, Vukcevic; Valentin, Thordarson, Devine, Carroll, Dobbin; Osmajic, Jebbison

Wrexham possible starting lineup:

Okonwko; James, O'Connell, Scarr; Longman, Ashfield, Lee, McClean; Evans; Smith, Hardie

We say: Preston North End 2-1 Wrexham

Both managers will make changes to their strongest sides, and it would not be a surprise to see Wrexham triumph on Tuesday. However, we just have a feeling that Preston will be able to navigate their way into the third round of the tournament.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.