Wrexham v Birmingham predictions: Returning Windass to star in 9/1 Bet Builder
Enda McElhinney
The last two meetings at the Racecourse Ground have ended 1-1
Both sides have drawn their opening two Championship games
Recommended bet: Wrexham to win, Both teams to score & Josh Windass anytime goalscorer @ 9/1 with LiveScore Bet
Wrexham and Birmingham both find themselves seeking a first Championship win of the season ahead of their Friday night showdown at the Racecourse Ground.
It has been stalemate all the way so far, with two draws each. Wrexham were agonisingly denied at Cardiff on the opening weekend, while Birmingham needed a stoppage-time penalty at St Andrew's last week to plunder a point against Bristol City.
The latest Wrexham vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Big new for Wrexham fans as boss Phil Parkinson has confirmed that Josh Windass, top scorer last season, is ready to return from injury.
Liberato Cacace may remain sidelined for the home side but midfielder Ben Sheaf is back in training. Issa Kabore was due to complete a permanent move from Manchester City this week, but is likely to find a place on the bench at best.
Blues' boss Chris Davies made six changes to his starting XI for the midweek League Cup game against Brentford and his side were duly hit for six in a stinging loss to the Bees.
New signing Max Bird has been ruled out for a number of weeks, with Demarai Gray set to start again after scoring in successive games. Jay Stansfield and Tomoki Iwata should return to the starting team here.
The stats
All four Championship games featuring these sides this season have ended level.
The previous two league meetings at the Racecourse Ground have ended 1-1.
Birmingham signed off last season unbeaten in five games, ensuring they are now seven Championship games with a defeat (W3, D4).
Wrexham have lost one of the last six in the league since a 2-0 defeat to Birmingham at St Andrew's in April.
Josh Windass was top scorer for Wrexham last season with 16 in the Championship.
The three league meetings of these clubs have produced 29 corners.
The latest Wrexham vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Both Wrexham and Birmingham are a targeting a first Championship win for the term after successive stalemates to start.
Red Dragons boss Parkinson saw his side denied at the death in their opener at Cardiff, while Birmingham had an own goal and a late penalty to thank for their point at home to Bristol City last weekend.
The Blues were on the end of a 6-1 defeat at home against Brentford in the Carabao Cup in midweek and, despite making lots of changes, that setback will not have helped morale in Davies' squad.
They have left this ground with a 1-1 draw in the last two campaigns but Wrexham may outscore them now.
Parkinson confirmed this week that Josh Windass, their top scorer last season, "will definitely be fit for Friday" and that is a huge boost.
He bagged 16 league goals last season with six assists across all competitions and was named player of the season at Wrexham.
The Red Dragons will enjoy a vocal backing under the lights and can see of the Birmingham challenge.
Score prediction: Wrexham 2-1 Birmingham
Back Wrexham to win, Both teams to score & Josh Windass anytime goalscorer at 9/1 with LiveScore Bet
