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

After contrasting results over the weekend, Shrewsbury Town and Wycombe Wanderers clash at the New Meadow on Tuesday evening.

While the visitors were beaten for only the second time this season, having gone down to 10 men, their midweek hosts came from behind to defeat Wimbledon.

Match preview

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Despite dominating possession for most of the game, Wimbledon fell victim to a valiant fightback from struggling Shrewsbury on Saturday afternoon.

Shrews substitute Daniel Udoh netted the winning goal with a header, after he emerged from the bench to complete the home side's 2-1 victory - much to the relief of manager Steve Cotterill.

With the ex-Telford striker's 67th-minute intervention ultimately proving decisive, Town snatched what could be a significant victory in kick-starting their campaign, as it lifted them out of the League One drop zone.

Having seen out the final 20 minutes with impressive resilience, keeping the Dons comfortably at bay, just a second win from nine league games this term will surely boost morale ahead of Wycombe's visit.

The last time the Shropshire club hosted their latest visitors, they emerged 2-1 winners in March 2019, but much has changed since then - as the away side now return with their status enhanced by a creditable spell in the second tier.

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Falling victim to Troy Parrott's penalty on Saturday, Wycombe were edged out in an all-Buckinghamshire affair against potential promotion rivals MK Dons.

After the Irishman slotted home from the spot - with Anthony Stewart also being sent off - the sixth-placed Chairboys were unable to turn things around at Stadium MK; suffering a first league defeat since August and slipping slightly off the pace near the top of the table.

Previously thumped 6-1 by Premier League champions Manchester City in the EFL Cup, the side coached by maverick manager Gareth Ainsworth will be keen to avoid a momentum-killing third defeat on the spin this week, so travel to the New Meadow determined to make amends.

Relegated to League One at the end of last season after finishing a point behind Derby in the Championship, this week owner Rob Couhig declared he will consider legal action against his club's demotion, after the Rams belatedly announced they are set to enter administration.

In hoping to recover an estimated £15m loss, any case could prove pivotal in Wycombe's future plans; but for now, Ainsworth and company must focus on matters they can control on the pitch.

Team News

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Having highlighted his wing-backs' contribution to the win over Wimbledon last time out, Shrewsbury boss Steve Cotterill is likely to continue with his 3-4-1-2 formation on Tuesday, with Elliott Bennett and Luke Leahy - scorer of the equaliser on Saturday - both set to start again.

However, Cotterill has concerns over midfielder Josh Vela, who went off injured and will be assessed ahead of the game.

Popular striker Daniel Udoh replaced Sam Cosgrove in the second half at the weekend, and bagged his first goal since a brace in the EFL Cup against Lincoln last month, so may earn a place up front alongside Ryan Bowman.

Wycombe, meanwhile, should start with a similar XI to that which was narrowly beaten in Milton Keynes, with winger Garath McCleary among those expected to continue in an attacking lineup.

Experienced striker Adebayo Akinfenwa may be awarded a start up front, though, should Gareth Ainsworth seek to boost a front pairing which failed to register on Saturday. In defence, Anthony Stewart is suspended following his sending-off, so will drop out of the back four.

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Pennington, Ebanks-Landell, Pierre; Bennett, Davis, Leshabela, Leahy; Whalley; Bowman, Udoh

Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stockdale; Grimmer, Tafazolli, Gape, Jacobson; McCleary, Thompson, Scowen, Obita; Vokes, Horgan

We say: Shrewsbury Town 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe can get back to winning ways with victory at the New Meadow, as they are generally sharper up front than their hosts, who have scored just six times so far in the league.

A worrying recent run can be halted by the Chairboys, keeping them in touch with the top sides at this early stage of the long League One season.