Two teams at opposite ends of the League One table will clash on Tuesday evening as bottom-of-the-table Shrewsbury Town take on playoff-hopefuls Reading at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
The hosts are at the foot of the standings and trail safety by 13 points, while the visitors are seventh in the league, just one point outside of the playoff places.
Match preview
© Imago
Shrewsbury Town's 10-year stay in the third tier of English football appears to be coming to an end this term, as the Shrews are at the foot of the table and trail safety by a significant 13 points with just 18 left to play for.
Tuesday's hosts have endured a miserable campaign, picking up a measly 29 points from their 40 League One outings to date - after just seven wins, eight draws and 25 defeats.
Their current form summarises their season as a whole, with the Shrews heading into this clash having failed to win any of their last 11 matches, including eight defeats in that period.
That run also featured the departure of former manager Gareth Ainsworth, who dropped a division to manage Gillingham, meaning current manager Michael Appleton is Shrewsbury's third permanent boss of the term - as Paul Hurst also left the club in November 2024.
While relegation looks a certainty for Shrewsbury, they will be aiming to avoid ending the season with a fizzle, looking to carry some positive momentum into their first League Two campaign since 2014-15.
However, their opponents, Reading, are in hot form heading into Tuesday's clash, with the Royals suffering just one defeat in their past 13 league matches, recording six wins in that time.
Reading will be aiming to maintain that strong run as they look to push into the top six before the season's end, with Noel Hunt's side currently trailing the top six by just one point.
While those involved with the club will no doubt be aware of the ongoing off-pitch distractions - with the looming EFL deadline for owner Dai Yongge to sell the club - Hunt and his side must remain fully focused on matters on the pitch if they are to keep their promotion hopes alive.
Reading earned a crucial 1-0 win over rivals and automatic-promotion hopefuls Wycombe Wanderers last time out, and with favourable fixtures ahead against Shrewsbury Town, Northampton Town, Mansfield Town and Bristol Rovers, Hunt has reason to be optimistic about breaking into the top six.
However, the Royals must still get the work done on the pitch, and they must now beat Shrewsbury Town for the first time - having fallen to two defeats and recorded one draw in the past three meetings.
Team News
© Imago
Shrewsbury Town are expected to remain without the services of Leo Castledine, Joshua Kayode and Vadaine Oliver for this match due to ongoing injury issues.
Despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Cambridge United last time out, the Shrews produced an encouraging performance in that match, meaning a similar team may start here.
As for the visitors, Jeriel Dorsett, Ben Elliott, Michael Craig and Harlee Dean are all not expected to feature due to ongoing injury problems.
Following their superb 1-0 victory against rivals Wycombe Wanderers, Hunt could look to name the same starting team against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening.
Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Blackman; M Feeney, Pierre, J Feeney; Wheeler, Ojo, Gilliead, Benning; Shipley; Lloyd, Marquis
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Abrefa, Mbengue, Bindon, Garcia; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Ehibhatiomhan, Camara
We say: Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Reading
The two teams are experiencing vastly contrasting 2024-25 campaigns, and given the stark difference in form, we expect Reading to comfortably win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
