Bristol Roversvs.Shrewsbury

The visitors are currently 18th in the table, six points ahead of the relegation zone, while Bristol Rovers are 14th, five points clear of their opponents in this contest.

Match preview

Bristol Rovers finished 17th in League One last season after earning promotion from League Two, and they are very much on course to make it back-to-back campaigns at this level of football.

The Pirates have a record of 14 wins, eight draws and 17 defeats from their 39 league matches this season to collect 50 points, which has left them in 14th position in the table.

Matt Taylor's side, who have lost three of their last four matches in League One, are 11 points clear of 21st-placed Port Vale, while they are 14 points off the playoffs.

Bristol Rovers will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 defeat at Port Vale, while they have not been victorious since a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient at the start of the month.

The Pirates have picked up 26 points from their 18 home league matches this season, and each of their next three games against Shrewsbury, Bolton Wanderers and Reading will take place in front of their own fans.

Shrewsbury, meanwhile, drew 1-1 with Oxford United on Friday, making it four points from their last two matches, having also beaten Carlisle United 1-0 on March 16.

Paul Hurst's side are currently 18th in the table, boasting a record of 13 wins, six draws and 21 defeats from 40 matches to collect 45 points.

The Shrews are only six points clear of the relegation zone, and they have played a game more than 21st-placed Port Vale and two more than Cheltenham Town in 22nd.

Shrewsbury are in their ninth straight season at this level of football, finishing 12th last term, and it would therefore be a surprise to see them drop down to the fourth tier.

The Shropshire outfit will be bidding to gain some revenge over Bristol Rovers on Monday afternoon, having suffered a 2-0 defeat when the two sides locked horns for the reverse match earlier this season.

Bristol Rovers League One form:

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W

L

D

L

L

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

L

L

W

L

W

D

Team News

Bristol Rovers head coach Taylor is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack following the two-goal reverse to Port Vale on Friday afternoon.

However, there could be a change in central midfield, with Grant Ward bidding to be introduced into the side.

Chris Martin has been in strong form for the Pirates this season, netting 15 times in League One, and the experienced forward is again expected to be supported by Scott Sinclair and Harvey Vale.

As for Shrewsbury, manager Hurst would have been delighted with what he saw from his side against a talented Oxford United outfit, so it could be a case of same again in terms of the team selection.

A 4-2-3-1 formation should include Dominic Udoh at centre-forward, with the 27-year-old finding the back of the net on seven occasions in League One this season.

Jack Price netted off the bench against Oxford United on Friday, but the 31-year-old might have to accept a spot on the bench for the first whistle once again.

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:

Ward; Hoole, Taylor, Wilson, Gordon; Conteh, Ward; Vale, Evans, Sinclair; Martin

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Marosi; Feeney, Dunkley, Flanagan, Benning; Winchester, Hinchy; Bloxham, Perry, O'Brien; Udoh

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

Shrewsbury have only won one of their last five matches against Bristol Rovers and have been beaten in 11 of their 19 away league matches this season. We are expecting Monday's affair to be tight but believe that Bristol Rovers have enough quality to secure a vital three points on home soil.

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