This is a tough one to anticipate, with both managers looking set to select their sides with the first weekend of the new season a greater priority. However, we have two managers with embedded strategies and approaches to play which give us a fair idea of what they will both look to achieve and how, even if the personnel might change.

Before I go on, I strongly recommend The Boro Breakdown podcast, as it’s a really good deep-dive into how Kim Hellberg is likely to get his new-look side to play. I’ve shamelessly referred to his points throughout this piece!

Will Hellberg Match Us Up?

Kim Hellberg is a flexible manager, happy to adjust his approach according to the demands the opposition offer. He will swithc between three and four at the back, and in Adilson Malanda he has a player who is comfortable both as a centre back and a defensive midfielder, meaning he can make subtle alterations throughout a game. Alfie Jones appears to be back in contention after injury and Ashley Phillips looks like he might be signed and registered in time to play too, adding considerably to what looked like a stretched centre of defence after the departure of Dael Fry, making a three more viable for Hellberg. That could mean withdrawing attacking players into deeper areas, which Wrexham certainly won’t mind: in Danny Imray and Liberato Cacace, Phil Parkinson has a pair of orthodox wing-backs at his disposal, equally comfortable attacking or defending, and should he select them he might hope they can force their opposite numbers back into areas of the pitch they don’t want to retreat into.

Whose Press Will Prevail?

Pressing is part of Hellberg’s football DNA, and Boro cause serious issues when they look to gegenpress. Parkinson is more flexible in this regard, but when he identifies opponents as vulnerable to quick turn-overs, his sides can be relentless. Middlesbrough look to fit into this category, liking short goal kicks and building up through the thirds, although Boro Breakdown has suggested that athletic, swift new signings might lead to a more vertical approach this season. That surely won’t be fully embedded yet though, and last weekend they conceded twice to an Espanyol side which pressed judiciously and won the ball back high up the pitch on both occasions.

We had real joy in our clash on the final day of the season with our press, which disrupted Boro’s build-up horribly. It felt like Parkinson won the tactical battle of wits, but Middlesbrough’s quality meant they got a better result. My (tentatively!) predicted eleven contained Ollie Rathbone, the undisputed King of the Press, supported by the energetic Bailey Cadamarteri. That duo could enjoy leading the press with Sam Smith, and we could also introduce Lewis O’Brien into an advanced position to make us even more focussed on pressuring Boro in their own half.

At the other end of the pitch, Parkinson has spent five seasons accumulating centre backs who can pass, so we’ll surely back ourselves to play through a well organised press, especially if we field quarterbacks Matty James and Ben Whiteman as a double pivot. When we have the ball in our own half it could develop into a fascinating, decisive game of cat-and-mouse.

Will Whittaker Wander To Good Effect?

Stop me if this phrase is too technical, but Morgan Whittaker is really, really good. His absence through injury before the run-in was a blow to Hellberg, and that was only illustrated by his excellent form on his return. We learned to our cost what he is all about on the final day of the season, and Wrexham’s defence must look to stop him cutting inside onto his left foot from a starting position on the right.

Having said that, Boro Breakdown points out that while his tendency to drift inside eads to chances for Middlesbrough, it can also be exploited. Focussing attacks down his flank when he comes narrow, mening he can’t get back to support the right side of his defence, can be profitable and if Imray starts he will be the perfect vehicle for swift counter-attacks.

Boro’s Set Piece Upgrade

We’ve just returned from Philadelphia, and its most famous ever resident (after Rob), Benjamin Franklin is credited with the famous quote: certain things in life are inevitable: death, taxes and getting really annoyed with Luke Ayling every time you watch him play. In the last few years, Middlesbrough’s ineptitude at set pieces could have been added to the list, but they look to have recruited the solution in outstanding midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. Never mind Jarod Bowen, stick the mortgage on the USMNT star being Championship Player of the Season.

NTT20.com pointed out that last season Boro were a measly 14th best in terms of scoring from set plays in the Championship, and were real outliers in terms of the correlation between that metric and league position (thanks to Boro Breakdown again!) If Berhalter and a newly-tall squad address that, they will test us. Having said that, he probably won’t add much to their defending of set plays, and we know Wrexham are adept at taking advantage of them, especially that beyond the far post corner which keeps working despite how regularly we use it.