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

Portsmouth will be looking to claim a third consecutive victory when they travel to New Meadow on Tuesday for a League One contest against Shrewsbury Town.

The visitors, who sit in 18th place, will be aiming to end an eight-game winless run in all competitions as they bid to move away from the danger zone.

Match preview

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Shrewsbury will be well-rested ahead of Tuesday's contest after their weekend meeting with Morecambe was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The Shrews have failed to convert draws into victories in recent weeks, with five of their previous seven league games ending level.

In their most recent outing, Steve Cotterill's side fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Plymouth Argyle, with a Conor Grant strike proving enough to help the Pilgrims to all three points.

Tuesday's hosts currently sit four points adrift of the relegation zone and after collecting 25 of their 34 points from home matches, the Shrews will recognise the importance of Tuesday's encounter in their fight for survival.

Having scored 13 of their 18 home league goals in the second half of home matches this season, the Shrews are likely to be at their most threatening in the second period on Tuesday.

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Like their hosts, Portsmouth also saw their weekend fixture postponed, with their away meeting with Crewe Alexandra called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

After beating Burton Albion to end a six-game winless run in all competitions, Pompey eased to a comfortable 4-0 win against Doncaster Rovers in their most recent outing.

Despite the first-half ending goalless, Portsmouth cruised to victory against Rovers, with Reeco Hackett, George Hirst, Aiden O'Brien and Sean Raggett all getting on the scoresheet.

Sitting 11 points adrift of the playoffs with two games in hand, Danny Cowley's side will need to continue to pick up victories if they are to have any hopes of finishing in the top six.

Pompey have shown defensive resilience on the road this season after keeping seven clean sheets in their 15 away league games - only Rotherham United (11) have more away shutouts to their name in League One.

Team News

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Shaun Whalley has been injured since November, and Cotterill does not expect the 34-year-old to return until at least March.

After serving a two-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, Luke Leahy is expected to come back into the starting lineup for Tuesday's contest.

Despite making his debut with a second-half substitute appearance against Plymouth Argyle, Tom Flanagan may have to wait a little longer for his first Shrewsbury start, with the centre-back expected to be on the bench for the Portsmouth contest.

As for the visitors, they will be without the services of Shaun Williams and Kieran Freeman who are both long-term injury absentees.

After picking up a knee injury in training last week, Michael Jacobs will also miss out, while Joe Morrell will serve the final game of his three-match suspension.

Cowley could make a change up front after O'Brien scored his first Pompey goal against Doncaster, and he may replace Tyler Walker in the forward line.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Pennington, Ebanks-Landell, Nurse; Bennett, Vela, Davis, Fornah, Leahy; Bowman, Udoh

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:
Bazunu; Carter, Raggett, Robertson; Harness, Thompson, Tunnicliffe, Hackett; Curtis, O'Brien, Hirst

We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Portsmouth

Cotterill will be hoping to get one over his former side, but with Pompey looking rejuvenated, we think that the visitors will prove too strong for their hosts to claim a fifth away league victory of the season.

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