Preview: Shrewsbury Town vs. Stockport County – prediction, team news, lineups

Struggling Shrewsbury Town will hope to end a four-match winless run in League One when they host Stockport County at Montgomery Waters Meadow on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, the visitors, who have not won as the away team in this fixture since 1995, will be looking to break their own four-match winless streak.

Match preview

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Shrewsbury Town have had a poor start to their League One campaign, having taken just four points from their opening eight games, leaving them second from bottom in the table.

The Shrews have lost six of those matches, the joint-most in the league alongside Cambridge United, but they successfully ended a three-match losing streak last time out with a 1-1 draw at home against Rotherham United.

George Lloyd‘s first-half strike put Paul Hurst‘s side ahead, but they failed to hold on to the lead, as Jonson Clarke-Harris converted a spot kick in the 70th minute to ensure the game ended in a draw.

Prior to the draw, the Shrews had lost 3-0 to Wrexham, 1-0 to Charlton Athletic, and 2-1 to Mansfield Town, with their sole victory (3-0) against Leyton Orient coming all before their current winless run.

Before the victory, Shrewsbury Town had lost to Stevenage, Peterborough United and Huddersfield Town in their opening three games of the campaign.

The Shrews have a solid home record against Tuesday’s opposition with four wins, two draws and only one defeat in seven such encounters – their ongoing three-match winning streak when hosting this encounter will serve as a point of confidence heading into this clash.

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After securing automatic promotion to League One as League Two champions in the previous season, Stockport County kicked off their campaign on a bright note with wins in their opening three matches.

However, they have since begun to struggle for victories, drawing to Mansfield Town and Crawley Town before losing to Leyton Orient.

The Hatters were on the verge of losing consecutive matches, as they trailed by 1-0 against Barnsley until Louie Barry restored parity in the 91st minute in their last league outing, leaving them in ninth place with 12 points.

The win ensured that Stockport maintained their undefeated away streak to five matches across all competitions, winning two and drawing three, and they will have the opportunity to extend it further on Tuesday.

The last time that the Hatters faced the Shrews was in 2022 when both teams met in the EFL Trophy, but the visitors must now halt a five-match winless streak away at Shrewsbury Town if they want to get back on track.

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

Shrewsbury Town form (all competitions):

Stockport County League One form:

Stockport County form (all competitions):

Team News

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There may be some changes in the Shrewsbury Town XI from the draw with Rotherham last time out, as Tom Bloxham could play from the start to refresh the attack.

However, Lloyd is expected to keep his place as the lone striker, while Leo Castledine provides support right behind him.

Alex Gilliead remained as part of the supporting trio behind Lloyd last time out and we expect this to remain the same, while Funso Ojo joins Carl Winchester at the base of the midfield.

Lewis Bate and Isaac Olaofe featured from the start in Stockport’s draw with Barnsley, and they are expected to keep their starting spots for this clash.

Barry has scored five goals in seven league matches this season, and he will be the man to watch for the visitors once again.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Savin; Hoole, J. Feeney, F. Feeney, Benning; Ojo, Winchester; Gilliead, Castledine, Bloxham; Lloyd

Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Addai; Onyango, Horsfall, Pye, Touray; Collar, Bate, Norwood, Barry; Wootton, Olaofe

We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Stockport County

Shrewsbury Town’s draw in their last game might have lifted their confidence a little, and this could prove helpful against a Stockport County side that have also been subpar in recent weeks, which is why we are predicting a draw.

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

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