Preview: Wigan Athletic vs. Shrewsbury Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Shrewsbury Town head into their EFL Trophy fixture with Wigan Athletic knowing that victory would secure their place in the knockout stages.

However, as a result of Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s losing at group winners Crewe Alexandra, Wigan will progress to the last 32 with a win on Wednesday night.

Match preview

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At a time when they sit as leaders of League One, Wigan's priorities lie elsewhere, but Leam Richardson has been left with mixed emotions after his team's recent performances.

Wigan overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Fleetwood Town last week, but they were held to a goalless draw at home by National League outfit Solihull Moors in the FA Cup.

Before that double-header, Wigan had also lost twice in three league fixtures, and Richardson will demand improvements in all areas of the pitch over the coming weeks.

Their efforts in this competition have not gone to plan with Wolves Under-21s prevailing on penalties in their opener before losing to struggling Crewe on October 5.

This match has been put back 24 hours as a result of Shrewsbury's FA Cup tie at non-league Stratford Town, the Shropshire side conceding an early goal before running out 5-1 winners.

Steve Cotterill's team have improved of late, posting four wins and a draw from their last seven fixtures in all competitions.

Moving out of the League One relegation zone remains their number one focus, but Cotterill will want to keep the ball rolling when they make the trip to the North-West on Wednesday night.

Luke Leahy and Ryan Bowman have been the stars of recent games, the pair contributing eight goals between them during the last three fixtures.

Team News

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With no game at the weekend and with everything still to play for, Richardson will likely name his strongest available Wigan side.

With Kelland Watts and Curtis Tilt both going off injured at the weekend, Luke Robinson should come into the defence, while Jordan Jones is an option further forward.

Sam Cosgrove could potentially come back into the Shrewsbury XI as a replacement for Rekeil Pyke.

However, with the Shrews also not having a game at the weekend, Cotterill will keep alterations down to a minimum.

Josh Vela, who remained as an unused substitute on Sunday, is an option in midfield.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Jones; Darikwa, Kerr, Pearce, Robinson; Bayliss, Power; Lang, Keane, Edwards; Wyke

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Burgoyne; Ebanks-Landell, Pierre, Nurse; Bennett, Udoh, Davis, Leahy, Ogbeta; Cosgrove, Bowman

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Shrewsbury Town (Wigan to win on penalties)

With these two teams requiring different results to progress, this is a difficult match to call. We will go with a low-scoring draw, the Latics potentially prevailing on penalties with less pressure on their shoulders, but it would not be enough to secure qualification.