Shrewsbury v Portsmouth: team news, predicted XIs, referee, form guide and key stats

Victory over Steve Cotterill’s side could see them climb up to fifth.

However, defeat for Danny Cowley’s outfit in his second game as manager could see the Blues drop to as low as 12th in the standings.

It promises to be an intriguing battle.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game (3pm kick-off).

Shrewsbury team news

The Shrews will have to make do without captain Ollie Norburn for the visit of Pompey.

He’s serving the second game of a two-match suspension after his yellow card against Hull last weekend proved to be his 10th of the season.

Salop will also be without keeper Matija Sarkic, with the on-loan Wolves stopper currently away on international duty with Montenegro.

Harry Burgoyne will deputise after being handed the role for the midweek win at Burton Albion

A groin injury keeps Brad Walker out of the Shrews’ match-day plans, while the game is expected to come too soon for Donald Love (groin) and Aaron Pierre (muscle injury), who are both on the road to recovery.

Predicted starting XI

Harry Burgoyne, Ro-Shaun Williams, Nathanael Ogbeta, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Matthew Pennington, Sean Goss, Josh Vela, Josh Daniels, David Davis, Shaun Whalley, Daniel Udoh. Subs: Jaden Bevan, Ryan Sears, David Edwards, Curtis Main, Harrison Chapman, Rekeil Pyke, Charlie Caton

Pompey team news

Pompey look set to welcome back Callum Johnson for their trip to New Meadow.

The full-back has been out with a calf injury since the victory over Oxford on February 23.

He’s missed seven games as a result but has been training with the first team this week and expected to be named in today’s match-day squad.

John Marquis’ ankle injury looks set to keep him out, though.

He has sat out the Blues’ past two games and is rated as ‘touch and go’ for the game against Shrewsbury.

Ronan Curtis is also absent because of his international commitments with the Republic of Ireland.

Predicted line-up

Craig MacGillivray, James Bolton, Jack Whatmough, Sean Raggett, Lee Brown, Ryan Williams, Andy Cannon, Lee Naylor, Michael Jacobs, Marcus Harness, Jordy Hiwula. Subs: Lewis Ward, Callum Johnson, Charlie Daniels, Rasmus Nicolaisen, Harvey White, Ben Close, George Byers.

Match-day odds (bet365)

Shrewsbury: 13/5

1-0 15/2, 2-0 16/1, 2-1 11/1, 3-0 40/1, 3-1 28/1, 3-2 40/1

Pompey: 11/10

1-0 11/2, 2-0 17/2, 2-1 17/2, 3-0 20/1, 3-1 18/1, 3-2 33/1

Draw: 9/4

0-0 7/1, 1-1 11/2, 2 -2 16/1, 3-3 50/1

First goalscorer: John Marquis (4/1),Jordy Hiwula (13/2), Marcus Harness 7/1

Referee

Ben Speedie

Shrewsbury stats

League position: 17th

Top scorer: Shaun Whalley and Harrison Chapman (6)

Top assists: Shaun Whalley (7)

Most appearances: Ro-Shaun Williams (39)

Pompey stats

League position: 8th

Top scorer: John Marquis (15)

Top assists: Marcus Harness (9)

Most appearances: Tom Naylor and Sean Raggett (all 42)

Form guide (all competitions)

Shrewsbury: P42 W15 D14 L13

Past five games

W 2-1 Burton (A) – League One

D 1-1 Hull (H) – League One

D 1-1 Charlton (A) – League One

W 2-0 Rochdale (A) – League One

L 2-0 Fleetwood (H) – League One

Pompey: P46 W22 D7 L17

Past five games

W 2-1 Ipswich (H) – League One

L 1-0 Peterborough (A) – League One

L 4-2 (penalties) Salford (N) – EFL Trophy final

L 2-0 Sunderland (H) – League One

L 4-1 Northampton (A) – League One

Other fixtures

Tonight

Oxford v Lincoln (7.45pm)

Tomorrow (3pm kick offs unless stated)

AFC Wimbledon v Northampton Town, Blackpool v Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers v Sunderland, Hull City v Gillingham, MK Dons v Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough United v Accrington Stanley, Wigan Athletic v Ipswich Town.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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