Shrewsburyvs.Huddersfield

The Shrews lost 1-0 last time out against Leyton Orient, while the Terriers won on the road to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.

Match preview

Gareth Ainsworth's Shrewsbury are currently 22nd in League One after picking up just 17 points from their 24 games so far.

When the boss was appointed in mid-November, the Shrews were bottom of the table, but are now 22nd after recording two wins, three draws and four losses during his nine league games in charge.

This represents a return of nine points, meaning that more than half of Shrewsbury's points total has been secured since Ainsworth took the reins.

In their most recent game, the Shrews lost on the road to Leyton Orient on January 4, a result that ended a four-game unbeaten streak for this weekend's hosts - their longest this season.

For reference, Shrewsbury had lost nine of the 10 league games prior to their 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic on December 21, and Ainsworth will be desperate to avoid defeat on Saturday in order to stop his side from slipping back into the type of form that would almost certainly see them fall irrecoverably far from safety.

Meanwhile, Michael Duff's Huddersfield are on an exceptional run of 15 League One games without defeat that stretches back to early October, having won 10 and drawn five in that period.

This form has seen the Terriers consistently rise up the table into their current spot in fourth, just four points behind the automatic promotion places and six behind Birmingham City at the top of the tree.

Last time out, Huddersfield got back to winning ways after back-to-back draws by beating promotion-rivals Wycombe 1-0 on their own turf, thanks to a great strike from former Liverpool man Herbie Kane.

Alongside their strong results, it is notable that Duff's side have also kept 12 clean sheets in the league this term, and four from their last five matches in the third-tier.

This defensive resilience, coupled with the fact that the Terriers have only failed to score in two of their last 15 league games, will give Huddersfield immense confidence ahead of Saturday's clash.

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

L

D

W

D

D

L

Huddersfield Town League One form:

D

W

W

D

D

W

Team News

Winger Charles Sagoe Jr, who had seen limited minutes under Ainsworth, has returned to parent club Arsenal after his loan was cut short.

This weekend, the boss is likely to opt for Tom Bloxham and Jordan Shipley out wide, with John Marquis up top.

As for Huddersfield, left-sided defender Brodie Spencer was taken off with an injury against Wycombe, and Radinio Balker, who was substituted on in his place, can be expected to start on Saturday.

Elsewhere, it has been reported that the Terriers have agreed a deal to sign Luton Town striker Joe Taylor, and given his record of 10 goals in 19 League One appearances in the past, the 22-year-old should be a great addition to their promotion push.

For now, boss Duff is likely to select Bojan Radulovic and Callum Marshall to start up front in a partnership once again.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Blackman; Hoole, M Feeney, J Feeney, Pierre, Benning; Bloxham, Castledine, Gilliead, Shipley; Marquis

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:

Chapman; Pearson, Lees, Balker; Turton, Wiles, Kane, Hodge, Koroma; Radulovic, Marshall

We say: Shrewsbury Town 0-3 Huddersfield Town

Despite Shrewsbury's improved form of late, it is difficult to ignore the gulf in quality between the two sides in Saturday's clash.

Written by

Anthony Nolan

Previews by email