- Eastleigh form: Eastleigh have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their last 5 matches (4-2 home win over Boston United, 2-0 away defeat to Forest Green Rovers and 1-1 away draw with Barrow).
- Shrewsbury form: Shrewsbury Town have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 1 of their last 5 games (2-1 home win against Everton U21 in EFL Trophy, 2-1 home defeat to Gillingham in League Two).
- Eastleigh home form: Eastleigh have scored 10 goals in their last 5 home games across all competitions, so they have the capability to hurt Shrewsbury on their own turf.
Spoils may be shared at Silverlake Stadium
Eastleigh are the outsiders at 4.01 for Saturday's game against Shrewsbury Town, who are the favorites at 1.85. We're with The Salop for this cup tie, but the draw at 3.5 is also appealing as Eastleigh have the tools to frustrate the visitors.
Matt Gray has set up his Eastleigh team in a compact 4-2-3-1 shape this season and his team have certainly enjoyed a counterattacking edge.
Shrewsbury Town are a pragmatic unit in the mold of many Gavin Cowan sides and appear to win the battles they really need to, primarily through superior organisation, physicality and quick transitions.
- Aaron Blair is the danger man for the hosts with four goals in his last five appearances, so he's in good form and worth a flutter to get on the scoresheet.
- Josh Davison has been the best bet in front of goal for Shrewsbury Town, netting three of his side's nine goals across the last five games.
Shrew’s should edge out a close game
Defensive setup and away form
Gray's men should be able to get men behind the ball and make a contest of this game, but Shrewsbury Town arrive at Eastleigh's home ground with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in 4 away matches across all competitions, which is decent enough road record.
Prediction and betting tips
This has the feeling of a cagey cup tie that the visitors should just edge out, although Eastleigh can make a game of it by getting a couple on the board. Over 2.5 goals looks the best play at 1.69 and both teams to score at 1.65 also appeals.
