Preview: Shrewsbury Town vs. Bolton Wanderers - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts come into this one fresh from a victory over Lincoln City, while the visitors travel to Shropshire following a draw at home to Bristol Rovers.

Match preview

Shrewsbury have enjoyed a decent 2022-23 campaign so far, registering 26 points from 20 matches under manager Steve Cotterill in League One.

The Shrews are on a run of two consecutive victories in all competitions and will be looking to go one better this weekend against Bolton on their own turf.

Last time out, strikes from Luke Leahy and Tom Bayliss sealed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Lincoln City, moving Shrewsbury up to 13th place in the table.

Shrewsbury have also recently progressed to the third round of the FA Cup, owing to a 3-1 triumph over Peterborough United in the second round last month.

On Saturday, a win against Bolton could move Shrewsbury as high as ninth in the league standings, depending on other results elsewhere in the division.

Bolton have been in good form this season, sitting fifth in the League One table as they eye a push for promotion to the Championship with Ian Evatt in charge.

The Wanderers are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, though have not kept a clean sheet in three of these encounters which will need to improve.

In their most recent outing, Bolton salvaged a 1-1 draw at home to Bristol Rovers courtesy of a 94th-minute equaliser from Dion Charles, much to the relief of their support.

Travelling to Shrewsbury on Saturday, Bolton will be hoping to step up their away form following just three wins on the road in League One this season from nine attempts.

Should Bolton secure victory, they could leapfrog promotion rivals Barnsley into fourth in the table if other results fall their way.

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

L

D

D

L

L

W

Shrewsbury Town form (all competitions):

W

D

L

L

W

W

Bolton Wanderers League One form:

W

W

L

D

W

D

Bolton Wanderers form (all competitions):

L

L

D

W

W

D

Team News

Shrewsbury are unlikely to make too many changes from their strong showing against Lincoln City last weekend which resulted in an impressive 2-0 win.

Marko Marosi is expected to keep his place between the sticks, while Matthew Pennington, Chey Dunkley and Tom Flanagan will continue in a back three against Bolton.

Ryan Bowman may be preferred to Christian Saydee in attack, while Rob Street is at risk of suspension if he is booked during the match.

On the other hand, visitors Bolton could ring a few changes owing to a disappointing display against Bristol Rovers last week.

MJ Williams could come into midfield to replace George Thomason, while Kieran Sadlier could make an appearance from the start in place of Owen Beck.

Dion Charles is in contention to play with his goal against Bristol Rovers fresh in mind, with Elias Kachunga expected to make way for his arrival.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Marosi; Pennington, Dunkley, Flanagan; Moore, Winchester, Leahy, Shipley; Bayliss; Street, Bowman

Bolton Wanderers possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Jones, Toal, Johnston; Bradley, Morley, Williams, Sadlier; Afolayan; Bodvarsson, Charles

We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Bolton Wanderers

In a match with much at stake, we expect both sides to create plenty of opportunities as they search for the upper hand in proceedings.

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