Preview: Burton Albion vs. Shrewsbury Town - prediction, team news, lineups

While the Brewers are currently sat in the League One relegation zone, Shrewsbury are seven points better off in 17th position.

Match preview

Although Burton were hammered 5-0 in their most recent league outing against a Morecambe side that are also fighting towards the bottom of the table, they would have fancied their chances of reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup when they travelled to League Two outfit Grimsby Town on Saturday.

As it proved, Burton were unable to get the better of their fourth-tier opponents, with a 76th-minute from Lewis Richardson condemning the Brewers to a narrow 1-0 defeat.

The result ended Burton's involvement in cup competitions for the 2022-23 season, allowing them to fully focus on their battle to stay in the division.

While the Brewers currently have the worst defensive record in the third tier after shipping 50 goals in 25 games, their resilience on home turf suggests that they have the character to avoid the drop.

Burton are unbeaten in their last six home league games - consisting of two wins and four draws - and Dino Maamria will hope his side can extend that run, as they bid to close the two-point gap to safety.

Like their hosts, Shrewsbury were also knocked out of the FA Cup after conceding two goals in stoppage time to lose 2-1 in their third-round tie against Sunderland.

Matthew Pennington looked to have won the game for his side with his 81st-minute effort, but Sunderland scored in the 92nd and 94th minutes to complete a dramatic turnaround, and subsequently eliminate Shrewsbury from the competition.

Shrewsbury have now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions - including their last three league matches - and their recent away form suggests that they may find it tough to end their poor run of results on Saturday.

They are currently winless in five competitive away games - a run that includes four defeats - and their struggles on the road have largely been a result of their inability to consistently find the net, having scored more than one goal in just two of their 11 away league matches this season.

Shrewsbury have fared well in recent meetings with Burton, winning three of their last four head-to-head matches, including a 2-1 home win against the Brewers in September.

Burton Albion League One form:

D

D

L

W

W

L

Burton Albion form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

L

L

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

L

W

W

L

L

L

Shrewsbury Town form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

L

L

Team News

Burton are without the services of Sam Hughes and Conor Shaughnessy, who are still recovering from ankle injuries.

After joining on loan from Sheffield United, Jordan Amissah made his debut in the FA Cup defeat to Grimsby, and the goalkeeper is expected to retain his place in the side for Saturday's game.

Victor Adeboyejo has been linked with a move away from the club, but Burton's top scorer is set to start against Shrewsbury, and he will be looking to add to the 11 goals he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Daniel Udoh and George Nurse due to injury issues, although Julien Da Costa returned to the matchday squad last weekend following a spell on the sidelines.

Cotterill has indicated that Tom Flanagan could return to the side after the defender missed the FA Cup defeat to Sunderland through injury.

After dropping out of the side last Saturday, Rob Street may be brought back into the starting lineup to partner Christian Saydee up front.

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Amissah; Hamer, Brayford, Ndaba, Borthwick-Jackson; Oshilaja, Taylor; Smith, Onyango, Kamwa; Odeboyejo

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Marosi; Pennington, Dunkley, Flanagan; Bennett, Phillips, Leahy, Shipley; Bayliss; Street, Saydee

We say: Burton Albion 1-2 Shrewsbury Town

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