Preview: Shrewsbury Town vs. Charlton Athletic - prediction, team news, lineups

The two sides are separated by just two points heading into the game, and they will both be looking for a win to close in on the playoff places.

Match preview

Shrewsbury have set out to build on their 18th-placed finish last season, and they have done exactly that so far, currently occupying eighth in the table, outside the playoffs on goal difference alone.

Key to Steve Cotterill's side has been an ability to grind out results, only winning one league game by more than a one-goal margin, a 2-0 win at lowly Forest Green Rovers, but managing to show the resilience to hold on to narrow leads.

Three wins in their last four matches have left Salop sitting pretty in the League One table, and they could move as high as fourth with a victory on Saturday depending on results elsewhere, in what would be a somewhat unexpected playoff push.

Last time out, a lone strike from Tom Bayliss was enough to secure three points in a 1-0 win away at Fleetwood Town, another impressive result on the road, where Shrewsbury have accumulated 11 points, one more than they have managed at Montgomery Waters Meadow.

If there is one area to improve though it may be in attack, having only scored 14 goals during this league campaign, the joint-third lowest amount in the top 18.

Charlton will start the day's action in 10th place, two points off Barnsley in sixth, but with one extra game played than most of the teams above them in the table.

Ben Garner's side seem to have finally clicked in recent matches though, winning their last two games and scoring seven goals in the process, with a return of 22 goals so far the joint-second highest of any team not in the top six.

The Addicks romped home to victory in their most recent fixture, against impressive opposition to boot, cruising to a 3-0 victory against fifth-placed Portsmouth, a result that put them within three points of the fellow playoff chasers.

However, Saturday's game will perhaps be the true test for the visitors, with Charlton having the second-worst away record in the entire division, winless on the road so far, drawing four and losing three.

With Shrewsbury representing a difficult opponent after their good start to the season, Garner will be hoping that recent form will give his side confidence to get a maiden win on their travels, and that they will begin to move up the League One table.

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

W

L

W

L

W

W

Shrewsbury Town form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

W

L

Charlton Athletic League One form:

D

L

D

D

W

W

Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):

L

D

L

D

W

W

Team News

Aiden O'Brien completed 90 minutes against Stockport County in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, the first time he has managed to last a full match since signing for Shrewsbury in the summer, and he may get some more minutes on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Tom Bayliss is likely to start in the centre of midfield, having scored in his last two league outings, taking him to a tally of three for the season, the highest of any Salop player.

Chey Dunkley has played every minute for his side so far during this campaign, and he is set to keep his place in the middle of a back three, alongside Taylor Moore and Tom Flanagan.

Charlton youngster Miles Leaburn is enjoying a breakthrough season with the club, following in the footsteps of his father Carl by playing for the London side, however the forward will not be available, after suffering an ankle injury.

In his absence, Jayden Stockley and Charlie Kirk are poised to start in attack, having both started in the most recent match, against Portsmouth.

Corey Blackett-Taylor put in a quality performance in the Pompey game, bagging his third goal of the season from the left flank, with Jesuran Rak-Sakyi a strong contender to start on the opposite wing.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Marosi; Moore, Dunkley, Flanagan; Shipley, Leahy, Bayliss, Winchester, Bennett; Pyke, Saydee

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Wollacott; Egbo, Inniss, O'Connell, Sessegnon; Rak-Sakyi, Dobson, Fraser, Blackett-Taylor; Stockley, Kirk

We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Charlton Athletic

Charlton have shown signs of improvement in recent home matches, however we think that the spoils will be shared in this encounter.

Shrewsbury have started the season well, and will come into the game with confidence after winning their previous two League One matches.

Previews by email