It's a Welsh derby that kicks off the first Monday Night Football of the season, as Cardiff host Wrexham.

Last season saw Cardiff gain promotion back to the Championship from League One, whilst Wrexham just missed out on the play-offs after a consistent run of promotions.

Match Build-Up

Not since 1981 have we seen three Welsh teams in the second tier.

Some may claim this is not a derby given both teams are 130 miles apart, but this will have all the vitriol of any other derby given the bragging rights at stake.

Brian Barry-Murphy guided Cardiff back to the second tier last season, and in doing so signed a new deal at the club keeping him there until 2029. This came amid interest from Burnley, but Barry-Murphy has stayed put and kept his transfer business pretty modest.

Nathan Trott signed on a permanent deal following a successful loan spell, plus highly rated Irishman Jack Moylan has arrived from Lincoln and left-back Calum Scanlon has penned a new loan deal from Liverpool.

Wrexham missed out on the play-offs by two points last season and have been patient in the market under manager Phil Parkinson.

Wing-back Danny Imray has joined from Crystal Palace, Ben Whiteman from Preston, and goalkeeper Anthony Patterson has joined from Sunderland for a reported club record fee.

Cardiff have been solid in pre-season, including a 4-1 win over Italian giants Roma and a 3-2 win over Swindon in the EFL Cup. Wrexham, on the other hand, were edged out 1-0 by Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup.

Both sides go into the new campaign fancied for a top-six finish, which only heightens the interest in Monday's opener.

View our expert Cardiff v Wrexham Betting Tips & Bet Builder Predictions.

Key Talking Points

1. 1. Can Cardiff cope with a threadbare defence?

   With Will Fish out for three months after hernia surgery and Calum Chambers a doubt to return in time for this opener, it leaves Brian Barry-Murphy with limited resources in defence for this league opener.

   Gabriel Osho will have a tough shift ahead of him at the back, and considering he played with discomfort against Swindon in the EFL Cup, it leaves Cardiff potentially exposed against a Wrexham side who are a genuine goal threat.

   2. How much does Wrexham miss Windass and Sheaf?

   Last season's top scorer Josh Windass has been ruled out for Wrexham ahead of this opener along with midfielder Ben Sheaf. That leaves a big chunk of last season's most productive players out of Phil Parkinson's side.

   Kieffer Moor and George Dobson are worthy replacements given their experience at this level and that they were on the bench in the EFL Cup loss to Boro, but replicating Windass's output won't be straightforward.

   3. Does Yousef Salech continue his scoring run?

   Striker Yousef Salech has scored in four consecutive outings for Cardiff over the summer, including twice against Swindon in the EFL Cup, and he heads into the derby full of confidence after 14 league goals last season.

   Wrexham's defence is still being reshaped alongside a debut for record buy Patterson in goal. If Salech carries his summer form into the league, Cardiff have a route to a winning start.

Team News & Lineups

Will Fish and Calum Chambers are the two main injury concerns for the home side; however, expect them to emphasise bringing through youth prospects throughout the season to bed them into the first team.

Josh Windass is the main absentee for Wrexham. His 17 goals last season will be a huge miss for this volatile opener. Ben Sheaf is also an injury doubt for this one.

Predicted Lineups

Cardiff: Trott; Ng, Kpakio, Osho, Bagan; Robertson, Turnbull; Ashford, Davies, Tanner; Salech

Wrexham: Patterson; Doyle, Hyam, Vyner; James, Rathbone, O'Brien, Thomason, Imray; Broadhead, Smith

Where To Go Next

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