Contesting a place in the second round of the EFL Cup, Shrewsbury Town and Carlisle United clash at the New Meadow on Tuesday.
While the hosts have taken only a point from their first two matches this season, and are yet to score a goal, their Cumbrian visitors have made an unbeaten start in League Two.
Match preview
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Persistent strugglers in League One during recent years, Shrewsbury have kicked off the new season with a draw and a loss - the latter coming at home to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
Despite dominating most of the first hour, Steve Cotterill's side were unable to convert the few chances they created, and when Tom Flanagan was sent off in the 57th minute, their momentum stalled.
After conceding the game's only goal 20 minutes later, the Shrews ultimately fell to a 1-0 defeat, which followed a goalless draw at Morecambe on the opening day of their 2022-23 campaign.
Having posted two draws and four losses from their final six matches in League One last term, Shrewsbury also failed to fire in pre-season, and a lack of goals lies at the heart of their problems.
Cotterill has seen his team score only once in their last five outings, including friendlies, so will be glad to have striker Daniel Udoh nearing full fitness as he seeks a morale-boosting cup win.
While Tuesday's hosts were eliminated in the second round of the EFL Cup last year, their visitors went out in the first round due to a tough draw: losing 1-0 at Sheffield United.
Just a few months later, in February, Paul Simpson returned to the club, and the former Shrewsbury manager then led his new team to League Two safety, securing himself a contract extension at the Cumbrian club.
Following their opening day win over Crawley Town, Carlisle had to settle for a point from an entertaining 1-1 draw at Colchester United on Saturday, with Kristian Dennis scoring his second goal of the new campaign.
Having slipped from 10th in 2020-21 down to 20th last season, the Blues will be keen to kick on in the coming months, under Simpson's experienced eye.
A cup run or two would undoubtedly help build momentum in that regard, so the 1970 League Cup semi-finalists will aim to upset the odds this week, against higher-ranked opposition.
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Team News
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Shrewsbury manager Steve Cotterill has been busy in the transfer market this summer, and has already handed six new recruits their debut in the league, including former Coventry midfielder Jordan Shipley and Julien Dacosta, who arrived on loan from the Sky Blues.
Having returned to the bench at the weekend, Daniel Udoh's recovery from an ankle injury is now complete, so the well-travelled striker could start on Tuesday evening.
He could be joined by summer signing Aiden O'Brien, who has been struggling with a hip problem of late and is yet to start for his new club, while Tom Flanagan must serve a suspension, so Kade Craig may feature in defence.
Like his opposite number, Paul Simpson has been working overtime to bring in fresh blood: signing three players in the space of six days last week.
Michael Kelly, Jayden Harris and Jack Stretton are all set to be involved after starting on the bench so far, and the latter pair are in contention to partner Kristian Dennis in attack.
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Pennington, Dunkley, Craig; Dacosta, Moore, Leahy, O'Brien; Shipley; Bowman, Udoh
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Back, Feeney, Barkley, Mellish, Armer; Gibson, Guy, Devitt; Harris, Dennis
We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Carlisle United
With just two goals between them so far, these sides are clearly not in full flow yet inside the final third. In a tightly-contested tie, then, Shrewsbury can make use of home advantage to advance from the first round.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
