Highflying Dragons could spring a surprise on Welsh rivals Newport

FA Cup second round
BT Sport 1, 8pm Saturday

Newport County returned to the Football League at the expense of Wrexham in the 2013 Conference playoff final at Wembley, but the Dragons are worth backing to gain some recompense from their Welsh rivals at the Racecourse.

Newport, fourth in Sky Bet League Two, enjoyed a dream FA Cup run last season, dumping out Leeds in the third round before taking Premier League giants Tottenham to a Wembley replay after a 1-1 draw at Rodney Parade.

But for all their success, the Exiles are laboured on their travels and a number of absentees make them vulnerable at National League highflyers Wrexham.

Key midfielder Matty Dolan and Scot Bennett are just two set to miss out, which isn’t ideal for a side who have won just one of their last six away encounters.

That road success was a 2-0 win at Metropolitan Police in the first round but the Southern League Premier side carved out 12 chances and forced nine corners, and that should install plenty of belief into the hosts.

Newport also hold a -1 goal difference in the fourth tier, having conceded 32 goals in only 20 games, and their current position looks unsustainable.

Therefore, the gulf between the sides may not be as big as first it seems.

Sam Ricketts' men sit third in the National League, with just three defeats from their 22 outings, and the Dragons have been a dominant force on their own patch claiming 24 points from a possible 33.

Recommendation
Wrexham draw no bet
1pt Evs Betfair, Betfred, Hills

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Wrexham
Huddersfield loanee Rekeil Pyke is a doubt, but otherwise manager Sam Ricketts has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Newport County
Scot Bennett, Robbie Willmott and Matty Dolan are unlikely to feature, while Joss Labadie, Tyler Forbes and Keanu Marsh-Brown are doubts.

Key stat
Newport have conceded ten goals in their last five away games.

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