Separated by just a single point in the third-tier standings, Shrewsbury Town will do battle with Cambridge United at The Croud Meadow on Saturday afternoon in League One.
The Shrews ended their losing run with an away success at Northampton Town last time out, while the U's were forced to share the spoils with Burton Albion.
Match preview
© Reuters
Following a spell of three-straight defeats across League One and the FA Cup since the 3-1 victory over Fleetwood Town on New Year's Day, Shrewsbury finally found their winning streak once again at Northampton last time out, securing their maiden away maximum since December 9.
The Shrews turned the screw in the second period after a goalless first half at Sixfields Stadium, with strikes from Daniel Udoh and centre-back Chey Dunkley sealing a win that really dampens the Cobblers' hopes of reaching the top-six positions in the division this term.
Paul Hurst's men are even less likely to earn a spot in the playoffs this campaign, with Shrewsbury currently occupying 15th place in the third-tier standings, a mammoth 17 points behind sixth-placed Oxford United, although Saturday's hosts do possess a comforting six-point advantage over the bottom four.
With former Wigan Athletic defender Dunkley and Udoh leading the club's Golden Boot race with just four league goals each, it is clear to see that the Shrews need more attacking firepower in the order to climb away from danger - no team was netted fewer than Town's 20 this season so far.
The visit of the U's will be Hurst's second match as Shrewsbury manager, with the 49-year-old replacing Matt Taylor, who was sacked earlier in the month following the three-match losing run which ended with a 2-1 defeat at Peterborough United, with Joel Randall and Josh Knight strikes sealing the former boss's fate.
© Reuters
Since the 5-2 thrashing at the hands of second-tier outfit Blackburn Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup on January 6, Cambridge have strung together a three-match unbeaten run in League One, although the recent two of those contests have ended in goalless draws against Exeter City and Burton Albion.
A battle with the Brewers last Saturday at Cledara Abbey Stadium saw the U's handed a massive advantage in the second period when Albion's Steve Seddon received his marching orders, but despite the hosts have one more man for 25 minutes, they were unable to breach the net of Max Crocombe.
Cambridge have assembled a wealth of experience players within their ranks in recent transfer windows, men who have plied their trade in the Premier League and Championship in the past, including Ryan Bennett, Michael Morrison, Elias Kachunga and former Charlton Athletic poacher Lyle Taylor.
After avoiding relegation to League Two by just the single point last season, the U's are targeting a stress-free end to the campaign this time around, with Neil Harris's men currently 16th in the third-tier table, five points ahead of crisis-hit Reading in the relegation places.
Looking to bolster their attacking ranks ahead of the business end of the term, Cambridge have announced the signing of striker Macauley Bonne on loan from League Two outfit Gillingham for the remainder of the season, with the 28-year-old netting four goals in 25 appearances in 2023-24 so far.
Team News
© Reuters
After keeping a first clean sheet in nine matches last time out against Northampton, Shrewsbury are expected to retain Aaron Pierre and goalscorer Dunkley as the centre-back pairing in front of goalkeeper Marko Morosi.
The Shrews dominated the engine room against the Cobblers, meaning all of the midfield trio of Jordan Shipley, Carl Winchester and Taylor Perry should keep their places.
Currently on the periphery of the starting XI are the likes of Tummise Sobowale and Ryan Bowman, with both likely to settle for spots on the bench on the weekend.
With new signing Bonne arriving at the club on Thursday, Taylor and James Brophy are candidates to make way for the Gillingham loanee in the Cambridge side.
After keeping back-to-back clean sheets since the end of October, Harris will continue with a partnership of ex-Birmingham City player Morrison and former Wolverhampton Wanderers enforcer Bennett.
Jack Lankester and Adam May are battling for a place in the U's starting XI on Saturday, but both are set to be on the bench once again.
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Feeney, Dunkley, Pierre, Benning; Perry, Winchester, Shipley; Bloxham, Bayliss, Udoh
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Stevens; L Bennett, R Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; Digby, Cousins; Kaikai, Kachunga, Lankester; Taylor
We say: Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Cambridge United
Shrewsbury were impressive during their win at Northampton last time out, and Hurst's men will be confident of recording back-to-back victories in League One.
Cambridge are beginning to stutter in this third-tier campaign, and we are envisaging another tough away out for the U's on Saturday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
