Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Relegation-threatened Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town are set to clash in a ‘six-pointer’ at Cledara Abbey Stadium on Saturday in League One.
The U’s are currently 22nd with 13 points from their 17 games so far, while the Shrews are 24th with 11 points from their 17 matches.
Match preview
© Imago
Garry Monk‘s Cambridge United have struggled all campaign and find themselves at serious risk of relegation, five points behind Leyton Orient who occupy the first place outside of the relegation zone.
The U’s are without a win in their last six matches in all competitions, a stretch that features three draws and three losses, including a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Peterborough United on November 11 and elimination from the FA Cup by league rivals Wigan Athletic last week.
Last time out, United were beaten 3-0 by Ruben Selles‘s Reading in League One, and boss Monk admitted his side were simply not good enough to challenge the promotion chasers on the day.
The U’s were thoroughly dominated in that game and had just over 33% possession, faced nine shots on target and produced only three of their own.
In fairness to Monk’s team, Reading have significantly higher ambitions than the U’s this season and their manager, Selles, is reportedly joining Championship Hull City in the coming days, so it is perhaps understandable that they could have lost in such a manner to a high-calibre team.
This weekend, United will be facing one of just two teams below them in League One, and will see their game against Shrewsbury as a must-win in order to keep their slim hopes of survival alive.
© Imago
Gareth Ainsworth‘s Shrewsbury Town are in even worse shape than their opponents on Saturday and sit bottom of League One, seven points from safety.
After a shocking start to the league campaign in which the Shrews drew two, won two and lost 11 of their first 15 fixtures, Paul Hurst was sacked and Ainsworth was appointed manager on November 13.
Since taking over, Ainsworth’s side have a record of one win and one loss, and fans will be hoping that the club have made the right decision by sacking Hurst, who kept them in League One last season.
Last time out, the Shrews lost 2-1 to Blackpool but remained competitive, and this will give the team some confidence on top of their 3-2 win against Birmingham City in Ainsworth’s first game.
It is also noteworthy that Shrewsbury had scored just one goal in the six games leading up to Ainsworth’s appointment, and in the new manager’s two opening matches have notched four.
The Shrews will be hoping their goalscoring form can earn them three desperately needed points against their relegation rivals on Saturday, especially after they lost 2-0 to Burton Albion last month, the only team that do not have more points than them in League One.
Cambridge United League One form:
Cambridge United form (all competitions):
Shrewsbury Town League One form:
Shrewsbury Town form (all competitions):
© Imago
The U’s will continue to be without centre-back Jubril Okedina due to his suspension for a red card shown for violent conduct in their game against Bolton.
With this in mind, expect captain Michael Morrison to line up in a back three alongside Danny Andrew and Zeno Ibsen Rossi.
As for Shrewsbury, new boss Ainsworth may have been concerned that he had to take Aristote Nsiala, Taylor Perry and captain Carl Winchester off with injury in his first game in charge, but all three were selected against Blackpool last time out and should be available this weekend after completing the match safely.
Meanwhile, centre-back Aaron Pierre, who scored an unfortunate own goal against Blackpool, will be keen to make amends in Saturday’s crucial clash and can be expected to partner Nsiala at the back.
Cambridge United possible starting lineup:
Reyes; Rossi, Morrison, Andrew; Bennett, Cousins, Smith, Brophy; Kachunga, N’Lundulu, Lavery
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Savin; Hoole, Nsiala, Pierre, Benning; Winchester, Gilliead, Perry; Bloxham, Marquis, Castledine
We say: Cambridge United 1-2 Shrewsbury Town
In this relegation clash, both sides will be desperate to take points from each other to avoid being cut adrift at the foot of the League One table.
However, Shrewsbury seem to be benefitting from the ‘new manager bounce’ and the influence of boss Ainsworth may lead to a victory against Monk’s team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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