Much like in Swindon’s clash with Millwall these two sides are fighting for different aims in the league with Shrewsbury looking to avoid the drop whilst Bolton Wanderers are eyeing an immediate return to the Championship.
Shrewsbury are having a bad time at the moment with no wins in their last three. The most damaging of these results came last time out away at relegation rivals Port Vale which Shrewsbury lost 2-1, meaning they are now only two points above the drop-zone in 20th and a game out of hand on Port Vale who occupy the last place in the bottom four.
The Shrews’ main problem over the course of the campaign has been their attacking efforts and their record of just 41 in 38 matches is the fifth-worst in the league. However, they have been finding the back of the net on a more consistent basis recently having registered on the score-sheet in all but one of their matches dating back to 2nd January. Unfortunately though, their defence has been letting them down with just one clean sheet in the last seven and six conceded in the last four matches. Interestingly though, overall, Shrewsbury have a better defensive record than a few of the play-off chasers including Bristol Rovers and Rochdale.
If anything will keep Paul Hurst’s side up this season it will be home form. Shrewsbury have not lost at Greenhouse Meadow in six matches there since 2nd January. Having said that, it must be said that this unbeaten run has come against teams of a much lower standard than Bolton who visit on Saturday.
Bolton are flying high up in 2nd place at the moment and look well on the way to securing promotion back to the Championship after a run of four consecutive wins gave them a four-point cushion over Fleetwood Town – the first team they beat in that run.
Wanderers have the best defence in the division with just 34 conceded in 38 games so far and have kept clean sheets in 32% of their matches. However, this does not mean that they are unadventurous going the other way and, in those aforementioned four victories, they have proved they can score goals with ease having found the back of the net 14 times in that fantastic run, scoring four times in three of the games. They may have conceded six in that time but you cannot argue given the results.
Three of those four wins for Phil Parkinson’s men have come on their travels to add to their impressive away record of 31 points from 18 – second-best in the league.
Although Shrewsbury are good at home, I can’t help but back Bolton here. They are the much better side overall and have a good away record themselves which should trump The Shrews. At 21/20, the away win is definitely worth getting behind.
Read more from Thomas here.