MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 12:39:59| >> :120:3637:3637:
[monks data]
Shrewsbury Town
League One | Gameweek 29
Jan 28, 2023 at 3pm UK
Montgomery Waters Meadow
Forest Green Rovers

Shrewsbury
2 - 1
Forest Green

Pyke (90+4'), Bowman (90+8')
Saydee (90+6'), Flanagan (64')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Garrick (18')
Godwin-Malife (2'), Bakayoko (12')

Preview: Shrewsbury Town vs. Forest Green Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Shrewsbury Town and Forest Green Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Shrewsbury Town will go in search of their fourth successive League One victory when Duncan Ferguson's Forest Green Rovers visit New Meadow on Saturday.

Following a run of seven defeats in eight games, Rovers sacked manager Ian Burchnall on Wednesday and appointed Ferguson 24 hours later, with the club sitting four points from safety at the foot of the table.


Match preview

Shrewsbury Town's manager Steve Cotterill on January 15, 2022© Reuters

Shrewsbury left it late to claim all three points against MK Dons in midweek, as Tom Bayliss scored the only goal of the game in the 89th minute, taking his tally for the season to six goals in all competitions.

After beating Burton Albion 4-0, Steve Cotterill's men thrashed Cambridge United 5-1 last weekend, but they were made to work hard for their third consecutive league win, proving that they can grind out a victory in testing circumstances.

It is worth noting, however, that Shrewsbury endured a four-game losing run before securing three straight wins, which highlights their struggle for consistency throughout the campaign.

In fact, the Shrews have not registered a draw since early November, winning six and losing six of their previous 12 matches across all competitions, while they have only drawn two of their 14 home league clashes this term.

Having recorded six wins and six losses at New Meadow this season, Shrewsbury cannot afford to take Forest Green lightly on Saturday, regardless of their contrasting fortunes.

Forest Green Rovers chairman Dale Vince pictured in November 2019© Reuters

When Rob Edwards departed Forest Green after guiding the club to promotion last year, it was always going to be difficult for his successor to take up the reins and make Rovers a competitive force in the third tier.

Inevitably, the new manager paid the price for the team's poor record this season, with Burchnall receiving his marching orders following last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

Burchnall can have little complaint about the dismissal, as Forest Green have failed to win any of their previous eight games across all competitions, suffering seven damaging defeats in the process.

When you look at the bigger picture, Rovers have managed to win just five of their 28 league outings this term, and they find themselves rock bottom of the League One table with the joint-worst offensive record in the division.

Ferguson arrives at the New Lawn with limited managerial experience, having spent brief spells as Everton's caretaker manager in 2019 and 2022, but the 51-year-old is more than ready for the challenge ahead.

Shrewsbury Town League One form:


Shrewsbury Town form (all competitions):


Forest Green Rovers League One form:


Forest Green Rovers form (all competitions):



Team News

Shrewsbury Town's Daniel Udoh celebrates scoring their first goal with Luke Leahy on January 9, 2022© Reuters

Cotterill has named the same starting XI for the past three games and is expected to field an unchanged side on Saturday, given that Shrewsbury have scored 10 goals and conceded just once since their last defeat.

Centre-back Chey Dunkley and left-back Luke Leahy have started every League One game for the Shrews this season, while goalkeeper Marko Marosi has kept seven clean sheets in 25 league outings.

At the opposite end of the pitch, top scorer Christian Saydee has bagged seven goals and two assists this term, so he will partner Crystal Palace loanee Robert Street in attack this weekend.

Forest Green are still without injured centre-back Jordan Moore-Taylor, who has not featured since early December, meaning Baily Cargill, Brandon Cooper and Udoka Godwin-Malife should continue to feature in the backline.

Naturally, Ferguson will be keen to put his stamp on the team as quickly as possible, so we could see a much-changed Rovers side on Saturday.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Pennington, Dunkley, Flanagan; Moore, Winchester, Leahy, Shipley; Phillips; Street, Saydee

Forest Green Rovers possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Godwin-Malife, Cooper, Cargill; O'Keefe, Hendry, Stevenson, Robson; Peart-Harris; March, Bakayoko


SM words green background

We say: Shrewsbury Town 3-1 Forest Green Rovers


Shrewsbury look destined to extend their winning streak to four games when they host Forest Green, whose last victory came all the way back on December 10.

Given that Rovers have scored in five of their last six games, Shrewsbury could struggle to keep a clean sheet on Saturday, but the hosts are expected to outscore the visitors with ease.


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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:505061:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect14881:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Shrewsbury vs Forest Green

Shrewsbury Town
81.8%
Draw
0.0%
Forest Green Rovers
18.2%
11
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Derby County's James Collins celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 8, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's League One predictions including Derby vs. Bolton
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Portsmouth392411463323183
2Derby CountyDerby402461069353478
3Bolton WanderersBolton39228971432874
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough38218974462871
5Barnsley382011770482271
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd391891262521063
7Stevenage3917111151401162
8Lincoln CityLincoln3916131056332361
9Blackpool391791357421560
10Leyton Orient391610134444058
11Northampton TownNorthampton40158175160-953
12Wigan AthleticWigan39177155348550
13Wycombe WanderersWycombe381311145049150
14Bristol Rovers38148164857-950
15Exeter CityExeter39138183352-1947
16Charlton AthleticCharlton391015145758-145
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury39135212955-2644
18Reading39139175557-242
19Burton Albion39109203151-2039
20Cambridge UnitedCambridge38109193255-2339
21Port Vale3899203661-2536
22Cheltenham TownCheltenham3798203050-2035
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood39713194161-2034
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3959253569-3424


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!