Shrewsburyvs.Leyton Orient

Shrewsbury Town secured their safety with a draw against Charlton Athletic last weekend, while Leyton Orient are aiming for a top-half finish in their first year back in the division.

Match preview

After a series of years where Shrewsbury finished in the lower half of the table, last season saw the hosts record a 12th-placed finish, their second-highest since being promoted back into the division for 2015-16.

While fans would have been hoping they could build upon that result and move towards the playoff places, Shrewsbury have instead found themselves operating around the relegation places throughout the entirety of the campaign.

They did manage to avoid ever dropping within the bottom four for successive matchdays, only placing in the relegation spots on three occasions, and they were able to secure their safety in the division with a 1-1 draw last weekend.

Plenty of credit should go to boss Paul Hurst, who was appointed with Shrewsbury on a run of one victory in eight games, with the other seven all being defeats, which left the side in 21st.

A win in his opening match against Northampton Town instantly took them to safety and Hurst has gone on to guide his side to just seven defeats in 17 matches.

With safety now secure, the hosts will be looking to end the season on a high and go into the new year on a run of three games without defeat.

As for the visitors, they have enjoyed a smooth transition into the division having only been promoted as champions of League Two last year.

Richie Wellens's men sit 11th in the table heading into the last fixture of the campaign, and they will be hoping to secure a top-half finish in their first year back in the division since 2014-15.

Five teams are currently battling it out for two spots in the top half of the table, with Wycombe Wanderers, Leyton Orient, Exeter City, Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town all within three points of each other.

A recent run of poor results has seen their lead over the bottom half quickly diminish, picking up just one victory in their previous six outings, and Wellens will be looking for his side to end the season on a positive note with victory here.

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

D

D

L

L

D

D

Leyton Orient League One form:

L

L

W

D

L

L

Team News

The hosts changed to a 3-5-2 formation for their matches against Bolton Wanderers and Charlton and are likely to continue in that system after they were able to pick up two draws.

Daniel Udoh scored in both of those games and is expected to continue his partnership with Tom Bloxham in the forward areas.

As for Leyton Orient, they were boosted by the return of Daniel Happe in their previous game, but the defender is expected to start on the bench.

Elsewhere, Theo Archibald, Jordan Graham and Idris El Mizouni are all set to remain sidelined.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:

Marosi; Feeney, Dunkley, Anderson; Sobowale, Bennett, Winchester, Benning; Shipley; Bloxham, Udoh

Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:

Brynn; James, Beckles, Simpson, Hunt; Brown, Obiero; Forde, Galbraith, O'Neill; Agyei

We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-1 Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient have won all of the previous five meetings between these two teams, but they come into this one having failed to score in either of their previous two fixtures.

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