Promotion-chasing Stockport County are set to host last-placed Shrewsbury Town in League One on Tuesday at Edgeley Park.
The home side beat Crawley Town 2-0 on Saturday and are fifth with 44 points, while the away team were defeated 1-0 by Charlton Athletic on the same date and are 24th with 20 points, seven points and four places from safety.
Match preview
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Stockport were utterly dominant against Crawley given they prevented their opponents from producing a single shot on target - with just one of their four shots coming from inside the penalty area - while they themselves created four big chances.
The hosts occupy the third of four promotion playoff spots, though they have played a game more than seventh-placed Leyton Orient and eighth-placed Reading, who both have 41 points.
Boss Dave Challinor's side beat Shrewsbury 2-0 in the reverse fixture on October 1, and they prevented Tuesday's visitors from registering any efforts on target that day.
The Hatters' clean sheet against Crawley was their first in their last 10 outings in all competitions, though they have now won their past two league matches by a cumulative score of 5-1.
Challinor's team have found wins at home somewhat more difficult to come by in recent weeks given they have only won twice in their last four at Edgeley Park – losing two and drawing one in that time – though they did triumph in six of their prior eight at home.
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Opponents Shrewsbury will be immensely disappointed that they succumbed to defeat against Charlton Athletic considering they conceded the only goal of the game in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth has only been in charge since November 12 last year, and to his credit he has overseen three victories and four draws in the league, more points than the club had earned in their previous 22 matches in the third tier.
The Shrews have only kept one clean sheet in their last 22 outings in League One, and they failed to score in two of their three most recent league games.
However, Ainsworth's side have only been beaten in two of their last seven third-tier matches, drawing three and winning two in that period.
It should be noted that have struggled for positive results on the road this campaign, losing 11 and drawing three of their 15 games away from home in 2024-25.
Team News
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Stockport could name a similar starting XI to the side that beat Crawley Town, so expect goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe to be shielded by centre-backs Kyle Knoyle, Callum Connolly and Ethan Pye.
Oliver Norwood has played alongside midfielder Callum Camps in each of his side's last three league games, and he may be trusted in the middle of the pitch with him once again.
Will Collar scored against Crawley, and if retains his place in the XI, then he may be partnered by Kyle Wooton and Isaac Olaofe in attack.
Shrewsbury could have to make a change in defence from their defeat against Charlton given centre-back Toto Nsiala was forced off due to injury, so perhaps full-back George Nurse will be pushed into a central role.
Midfielders Funso Ojo and Alex Gilliead played together last time out, and they are likely to be in the starting lineup given their strong performances last weekend.
Attackers George Lloyd and John Marquis were supported by attacking midfielder Leo Castledine on Saturday, and Ainsworth may opt to give the trio starts against Stockport.
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Knoyle, Connolly, Pye; Southam, Norwood, Camps, Touray; Collar, Olaofe, Wootton
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Blackman; M Feeney, J Feeney, Nurse; Hoole, Gilliead, Ojo, Benning; Castledine; Lloyd, Marquis
We say: Stockport County 2-1 Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury have proven difficult to defeat in recent weeks, and they will no doubt frustrate Stockport at times.
It would not be surprising if the hosts eventually emerged victorious considering the visitors' struggles on the road, but they are unlikely to win by multiple goals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
