- Fleetwood are unbeaten in their last 5 matches in all competitions (W2, D3).
- Shrewsbury are struggling on the road (W1, D1, L4 across all current competitions) and have conceded 1.67 goals per away match in all comps so far.
- Ched Evans has scored 2 of Fleetwood's 4 goals in their current 5-game unbeaten run.
A close cup game is expected
Fleetwood boss Matt Lawlor will be keen to continue that trend on Tuesday against a Shrewsbury side he knows well. Lawlor took over as Fleetwood's head coach on 26 January 2026 and he has seen his side go unbeaten in 5 matches since (W2, D3). Fleetwood made it two wins on the trot by seeing off Chesterfield 1-0 in the EFL Cup at home before doing the same away in League Two.
The Cod Army have looked adaptable in Lawlor's side, which has given them plenty of shapes to press from and counter when in possession. Town have been quick to punish opponents after turnovers by playing direct passes and running vertically in transition, although they have been rather low margin in their victories.
Shrewsbury will test Fleetwood's defence
A trip to Highbury Stadium on Tuesday will provide a stern test of Fleetwood's recent good form, as Shrewsbury boss Gavin Cowan has made his mark since taking over as head coach on 29 January 2026. The Shrews have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 of their last 5, although Cowan's team did need penalties to squeeze past Salford City in the previous round of this competition after a 1-1 draw. The Shrews press high and with energy across the pitch, while their wing-backs are key to stretching the play and creating overloads. They are likely to have some joy against Fleetwood's adaptable shapes and could even score more than once if Fleetwood play with their adaptable shapes for long spells, although The Cod Army have been clinical enough in their 1-0 wins to suggest they can edge this close encounter.
Cowan’s side lack the sharpness of Lawlor’s team
Fleetwood can take their momentum from two consecutive 1-0 wins into this contest, although they are slight favourites at 26/25 compared to Shrewsbury at 51/20 and the draw at 47/20. Our selection in the outright market would be the draw, although both sides should have enough about them to take the game to a close conclusion.
We're expecting a tight cup game with Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 and Both Teams to Score - Yes at 4/5. Fleetwood have conceded eight goals in five home games in all current competitions, so they should be susceptible to a Shrewsbury strike, although there's just enough to suggest that Shrewsbury Town will be held off by a clinical Ched Evans and his Fleetwood teammates.
