Shrewsbury Town host Bolton Wanderers this weekend, looking to move closer to safety in the League One table.
The Shrews are currently occupying a place in the relegation zone, as they sit 21st in the table, while their opponents are eighth, just two points off the playoff positions.
Match preview
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The hosts began the month at the bottom of the table, with a seven-point gap between themselves and safety.
However, seven points from their last three matches have provided Gareth Ainsworth's side with fresh hope of survival, as they are now only three points away from safety.
After recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season with victories against Mansfield Town and Rotherham United, Shrewsbury gained a valuable point away to Reading in midweek, with Taylor Perry's goal in the second half helping them to a 1-1 draw.
Shrewsbury had just eight points from their opening 15 games of the season but in the 15 games since Ainsworth's appointment, they have earned 19 points, which highlights the improvements they have made since he replaced Paul Hurst in November.
Ainsworth's side have performed better in their home games this season, with 17 of their 27 points being gained on home soil, so they will view their home advantage this weekend as a positive.
One of Shrewsbury's biggest issues this season has been conceding goals, as they have let in 50 goals in just 30 matches, giving them the fourth-worst defensive record in League One.
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Not far behind them in that list are the visitors, who despite being in the mix for the playoffs and promotion to the Championship, have conceded 46 goals in 30 games.
Bolton opted to part ways with Ian Evatt following a run of just two wins in his final nine league games in charge of the Trotters.
Evatt left the club just three points off the playoff zone, but having lost the playoff final last season to Oxford United, the club were not satisfied with this season's performance.
After Julian Darby filled in admirably on an interim basis, Steven Schumacher was chosen as the club's new head coach, and the former Plymouth Argyle boss secured his first win in charge last weekend, as Bolton beat Crawley Town 4-3 in a frantic encounter.
Bolton have lost the other two matches that Schumacher has been in charge of though, as they suffered defeat to Reading in the league, as well as a 1-0 loss at Wrexham in the EFL Trophy, either side of their victory over Crawley.
With just two points between the visitors and the playoff zone, there is still reason to believe that they can get themselves back into the playoffs and in with a shot at promotion.
However, they need to find consistency under their new head coach in order to do that, so they will look to build on their momentum from last weekend's triumph over Crawley by following it up with a win against a rejuvenated Shrewsbury team this weekend.
With Shrewsbury in form, it will not be an easy task by any means, and the Shrews have already gained a point against Bolton this season, as the two sides shared the points following a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture back in October.
The clubs were also paired together in the second round of the League Cup back in August, with Bolton winning 2-0 on the evening, courtesy of goals from Jordi Osei-Tutu and Dion Charles.
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Team News
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Having performed well in midweek at Reading, the hosts are likely to field the same side that earned a point in Berkshire.
John Marquis will likely provide the biggest attacking threat for the hosts, having netted eight times in the league so far this season.
As for the visitors, they will be missing George Thomason this weekend, as he serves the second game of a two-match suspension.
Schumacher will be hoping that he can call upon Ricardo Santos, as he is back in training following an injury that ruled him out of last week's clash with Crawley.
Elsewhere, Kyle Dempsey remains a long-term absentee for Bolton, while Carlos Mendes Gomes is a doubt after picking up a knock in training.
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Blackman; Nurse, Benning, M Feeney, J Feeney, Hoole; Biggins, Gape, Marquis, Lloyd; Perry
Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Murphy, Forrester, Toal, Cogley; Schon, Sheehan, Morley, Osei-Tutu; Randall, McAtee
We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
Had this fixture been played earlier in the season, we would have picked Bolton to win the match, just as they did in the League Cup back in August.
However, Shrewsbury have hit a good run of late, and we think that they will grab a share of the spoils this weekend in an entertaining draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
