- Fleetwood Town won the reverse fixture 3-1 five months ago.
- Shrewsbury Town have netted just 20 goals in 22 home games.
- Fleetwood Town have won seven of their 22 away games in League Two.
Two equally frustrating sides set to deliver more frustration
Shrewsbury Town and Fleetwood Town are set to play out a tight tactical clash on Saturday, with the points likely going the way of the visitors after their win in the reverse League Two fixture five months ago.
Gavin Cowan’s side have become a tougher watch since he took charge in January, as he has instilled a disciplined, structured approach with a back three, a structured build-up and wing-backs that can create overloads at either end of the field.
Shrewsbury Town’s gameplan is based on control, rather than chaos and that’s been evident in the results of their games over the last few months, winning two, drawing one and losing two of their last five.
Fleetwood Town are at their best when the ball is flying
Matt Lawlor’s men are at their most dangerous when the game is in transition, with a direct attack that plays off wide areas and uses the counter attack to their advantage, while they press in targeted waves.
The result is a frustrating clash of styles that can’t be easily categorised, but one in which both sides have equal opportunity to win. Shrewsbury Town average 1.5 goals per home game against Fleetwood Town in League Two, while the visitors have scored 2.0 goals per game on their travels against the Shrews in the division.
Fleetwood Town are the value bet
Fleetwood Town have 59 points from 44 games, which leaves them in 14th spot in the table, while Shrewsbury have 48 points and sit in 19th. That slight edge in form, combined with their recent win in this fixture and the fact that they’ll be a threat to score away from home, will see us back the Cod Army for the win at 36/25.
A goalfest is unlikely though, given that Fleetwood have conceded 22 goals in 22 games on the road and Shrewsbury have managed just 20 goals in 22 home League Two matches.
The last four head-to-heads in all competitions are perfectly balanced, with two wins each and no draws. Shrewsbury have won nine of their 22 home games in League Two this season, but have also lost eight of them.
An away goal should settle this
Given the contrasting styles of each team, it’s easy to predict that the winner will come down to who dominates the wide zones. George Lloyd is the danger man for Shrewsbury, as he leads the Shrews in goals with four in 41 League Two appearances. Mark Helm is Fleetwood’s marksman with ten in the league, while three of Fleetwood’s last six have come from his boot.
We’re predicting a tight, cagey affair that Fleetwood can edge, but it’s a big price for the Under 2.5 goals market at 13/20, and Both Teams to Score - No at 17/20 also appeals.
