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

Shrewsbury Town will be hoping to build on their first league win of the season when they travel to Accrington Stanley on Saturday.

The Shrews got off the mark in League One last weekend and sit 22nd in the table, while Stanley are ninth.

Match preview

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A superb overhead kick from 17-year-old Tom Bloxham and Sam Cosgrove's first goal for the club helped Shrewsbury come from behind to beat Gillingham 2-1 last Saturday.

It was a much-needed result for Steve Cotterill's team, who had lost their opening four league matches of the season without evening scoring a goal.

The Shrews will now look to kick on and move out of the relegation zone, with none of the four clubs directly above them in action this weekend.

Cotterill may have to lift spirits though, as the Shropshire outfit conceded in the 92nd-minute to lose 1-0 to Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Trophy in midweek.

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Accrington were victorious in the same competition on Tuesday, beating Barrow on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time.

John Coleman's men have taken maximum points from their two home games in League One this season and are unbeaten in their previous five matches at the Wham Stadium.

After losing to Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day of the campaign, Stanley won three successive league matches before their run was halted by a 2-0 loss to MK Dons last weekend.

With a trip to early leaders Sunderland to come next Saturday, a victory would be vital in restoring confidence to Coleman's charges.

Both games between Accrington and Shrewsbury last season finished level, but Stanley have only won two of the last 12 meetings.

Team News

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John Coleman made nine changes and gave his squad players a chance in Accrington's EFL Trophy game in midweek, but should revert to a more familiar XI on Saturday, bringing back the likes of Matt Butcher and Michael Nottingham.

Dion Charles, who scored 19 goals in League One last season but is yet to find the net this campaign, is away on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Ethan Hamilton and Jovan Malcolm both moved to the Wham Stadium on transfer deadline day, so will be eager to make their debuts.

Like his opposite number, Steve Cotterill also made nine changes in cup action in midweek but is likely to go back to the side that beat Gillingham last Saturday.

However, he will be without David Davis who was sent off late on against the Gills as well as backup goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne.

Davis' absence could allow Khanya Leshabela, on loan from Leicester City, to make his full league debut for the Shrews.

Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Trafford; Sykes, Nottingham, Rodgers; Pritchard, Pell, Morgan, Butcher, McConville; Bishop, Mumbongo

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Bennett, Pierre, Ebanks-Landell, Nurse; Bloxham, Vela, Leshabela, Leahy; Cosgrove, Udoh

We say: Accrington Stanley 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

We think Accrington will return to winning ways back on home turf against a Shrewsbury side who have started the season poorly. Salop will want to show they have turned a corner after last weekend's victory, but they have not picked up consecutive wins since the start of February.