Preview: Notts County vs Shrewsbury Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Notts County and Shrewsbury Town will both be chasing their first victory of the 2025-26 season when they face off on Wednesday night on matchday four of the League Two campaign.

The hosts have drawn one and lost three of their four games, while the visitors have similarly drawn one and lost three of their four fixtures.

Match preview

After returning to League Two as National League playoff champions in 2022-23, Notts County recorded an initial 14th-placed finish before climbing to sixth last term.

A disappointing end to last campaign - with four defeats, one draw and one win in the final six league fixtures - ended their hopes of automatic promotion, and their form carried into the playoffs as they lost 2-0 on aggregate to AFC Wimbledon in the semi-finals.

Former boss Stuart Maynard was sacked after their failure to earn promotion, with Martin Paterson appointed ahead of a 2025-26 campaign where securing promotion to League One was the aim.

However, Paterson has had a disastrous start to life at Notts, drawing 1-1 with Newport County in their opening match of the campaign before suffering three consecutive defeats.

Notts have since recorded 2-1 loss to Salford City, a 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic in the EFL Cup and a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Barrow last time out, where an 89th-minute equaliser for Notts was devastatingly cancelled out by a 2-1 Barrow winner from Lewis Shipley.

Still in search of their initial win of the new campaign, Paterson will be desperate for his side to take all three points against Shrewsbury on Wednesday, especially with the pressure building on the new manager after their slow start.

The visitors are similarly struggling at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, as the Shrews have also lost three and drawn one of their first four fixtures across all competitions.

Shrewsbury were relegated from League One last term after managing just eight wins, nine draws and 29 defeats from 46 fixtures, and their poor form has continued at the start of this term.

Michael Appleton, appointed in March 2025, led his side to a 0-0 draw with Bromley on the opening day, followed by a 4-0 loss to Tranmere Rovers, a 3-1 defeat to Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup and a 2-0 defeat to Colchester United last time out.

Despite the difficult beginning to the term, there is growing optimism off the pitch as Shrewsbury Town are in advanced talks with a potential new investor, and Appleton will be hoping the improved mood around the club can help them on the pitch.

Shrewsbury will also be hoping their recent record against Notts will help them to three points on Wednesday, as the Shrews have won all of the last four competitive meetings between the two teams, including a 4-3 penalty victory in the EFL Cup first round last year.

Notts County League Two form:

Notts County form (all competitions):

Shrewsbury Town League Two form:

Shrewsbury Town form (all competitions):

Team News

Jayden Luker and Matthew Platt were both substituted off due to injury issues during Notts County's 2-1 loss to Barrow, leaving both as doubts for this one.

New signing Matthew Dennis scored his first goal for the club during that devastating late defeat, and the number 19 should lead the line for Notts on Wednesday, with Jodi Jones and Conor Grant expected to also feature in forward areas.

As for Shrewsbury Town, Tommy McDermott received a red card in his first start for the club against Colchester, meaning he will miss Wednesday's match due to suspension.

Shrewsbury are yet to score in any of their three League Two fixtures at the beginning of this term, and they will be hoping John Marquis and George Lloyd can end that worrying streak on Wednesday.

Notts County possible starting lineup:

Roos; Aljofree, McDonald, Bedeau; Gordon, Palmer, Iorpenda, Bennetts; Grant, Jones; Dennis

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Harrison; Stubbs, Anderson, Boyle; Hoole, Perry, Gilliead, Biggins, Clucas; Marquis, Lloyd

We say: Notts County 2-0 Shrewsbury Town

While both teams have had lacklustre starts to the campaign, Notts County have been far more competitive in their clashes than the visitors, who have yet to even register a goal in League Two.

Shrewsbury may have enjoyed recent meetings with Wednesday's hosts, but given their poor scoring form and start to the campaign, we expect the hosts to win this one.

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