Shrewsbury vs Wrexham: TV channel, team news and predicted line ups
It’s Derby Day.
Two sides playing for different things at this stage of the League One campaign square off on Thursday as Shrewsbury Town host Wrexham.
The Shrews are winless in three consecutive league games, sitting 22nd following a 1-0 defeat versus Leyton Orient, while Wrexham maintained their hold on third-place thanks to a 1-0 victory over Peterborough United.
Joel Lefevre takes a look at some key talking points…
Second Best vs Second Worst
These two sides are at opposite ends of the table, and there’s an apparent reason why.
Wrexham are on the heels of Wycombe Wanderers for that second automatic promotion spot thanks to its stingy backline, conceding the second-fewest goals in League One (18).
Gareth Ainsworth’s side are in a relegation battle because they’ve leaked plenty of goals this season, allowing the second-most in the league thus far (44).
Muddying the Waters?
It’s no secret that Wrexham has been missing that decisive attacking quality since Jack Marriott suffered a broken fibula.
Things are getting even more complicated for them in that department with one striker returning from a loan spell, while another is having a stellar campaign in Scotland.
Billy Waters is back from his brief stint at Halifax Town, but even though Wrexham are desperate to find a number nine, it probably won’t be the 30-year-old from Epsom with a move to non-league Oldham Athletic mooted.
Jake Bickerstaff is continuing on loan at Altrincham for the remainder of the season, despite starting just four times with 12 appearances in the first half of the campaign.
Then there’s Sam Dalby, who’s on a tear in the Scottish Premiership, with 10 goals at Dundee United, but Wrexham has the option to recall him if they like. That said he struggled for the Red Dragons in a system that didn’t seem to suit him and while a decision is imminent, it’s difficult to call what happens next with Dalby, who is a free agent come the summer.
There are plenty of attacking options for Phil Parkinson, but it’s hard to know if any of them are viable ones.
The goalkeeping comparison
Wrexham were thrilled to see Arthur Okonkwo back from his wrist fracture last time out.
The Red Dragons shot-stopper picked up where he left off, collecting another clean sheet while still leading the league in save percentage (82.5%).
Meanwhile, Shrewsbury have conceded a goal or fewer in their last four games with Jamal Blackman between the sticks. He only signed with them in late December and has already seen his impact keenly felt.
Their other keeper, Toby Savin, leads the league for goals allowed per 90 (2.1).
Team News
The Red Dragons could have Marriott back on the bench after his swift recovery from a broken leg, while Lewis Brunt and Ryan Barnett are pushing to be involved after they missed the win over Peterborough United with a hip and calf problem, respectively.
Elliott Lee is questionable with a sore thigh, while back-up goalkeeper Callum Burton has a torn thigh muscle and is out indefinitely.
Shrewsbury Town confirmed this week that striker JJ Kayode returned to Rotherham United after incurring another injury during his loan spell, while Tom Bloxham has left to join Blackpool.
Meanwhile, Jordan Rossiter was loaned to Oldham Athletic for the rest of the season.
TV Channel
The match IS being shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, as well as Sky Sports football, while US viewers can watch full coverage on Paramount+. It is a 8pm BST kick-off time.
Predicted XI’s
Shrewsbury Town: Blackman; M. Feeney, J. Feeney, Pierre; Hoole, Ojo, Shipley, Benning; Castledine; Marquis, Lloyd
Wrexham: Okonkwo; Cleworth, O’Connell, O’Connor; Barnett, Dobson, M. James, Rathbone, McClean; Palmer, Mullin
