Shrewsbury Town came away with a fantastic three points on the weekend as they beat Peterborough two goals to nil, as they've now defeated all of the top four in League One this season.

Crewe Alexandra are winless in their last three games, and they'll be desperate to find a win on the road. Their last three points away from home came in a 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon on the 19th of December.

Shrews boss Steve Cotterill will miss the game as he remains in hospital with coronavirus.

It will be six wins in eight for Shrewsbury if they overcome Crewe on Tuesday, as they are flying up the table on their hot streak in recent weeks, just four points behind MK Dons. They will stay in 17th with a victory, but edge closer to the top half of the table.

The Alex have won one game in their last seven, they sit in 10th, three points away from a play-off spot. It would be the perfect time for David Artell's men to get back into form.

Team news

Assistant boss Aaron Wilbraham has no new injury concerns after Saturday’s home win against Peterborough and could name an unchanged side.

Defender Harry Pickering is available for the Alex despite completing his move to Blackburn Rovers on deadline day.

Pickering has signed a four-year deal with Rovers, but has been loaned back to Crewe for the rest of the season.

Defender Luke Offord (hamstring) will be assessed, while forward Mikael Mandron returned from injury as an unused substitute in Saturday’s home draw against Ipswich Town.

Predicted lineups

Shrewsbury Town XI:

Sarkic, Williams, Ebanks-Landell, Pierre, Love, Norburn, Chapman, Vela, Ogbeta, Whalley, Udoh. 

Crewe Alexandra XI:

Richards, Jones, Beckles, Lancashire, Pickering, Finney, Wintle, Murphy, Kirk, Mandron, Walker.

Ones to watch

The match-winner on Saturday, 23-year-old Harry Chapman, could be the one to watch on Tuesday. The starlet on loan from Blackburn Rovers, scored the two goals in the win over Peterborough, in which they were his first goals for the club since joining at the end of December.

The Winger has shown his true quality and assistant manager Aaron Wilbraham, who oversaw the first victory since Steve Cotterill's absence with illness, added: "He's been doing it all week in training, Chappy. I said Friday that I fancied him tomorrow, he's been banging them in all week in training.

Oliver Finney has seriously took his chance for Crewe this season. He's already broke his record goalscoring tally for the season, with eight goals so far in League One. The 23-year-old hasn't found the net in his last two games, and he'll be desperate to get back on the scoresheet in this one.

Previous meetings

The two sides haven't met in League One since December 2015. Shaun Walley, who is still playing for the Shrews scored a 90th minute winner as they came away with a 2-1 victory.

There's been 2 wins for Shrewsbury, 2 for Crewe and 2 draws between 2012 and 2015. 

How to watch

You can watch the match by purchasing an iFollow match pass from either club's website.

Manager's thoughts

Assistant manager Wilbraham spoke to club media ahead of the test against Crewe, he said:

"They're a good side and I've watched them play a few times this season. They play good football as always and have upset a lot of teams.

"We'll have to be on our game because it's going to be tough. Each game we go into, we look at their threats. You look at the danger-men and find a way to stop them. We have been doing well as a team lately and we will have to be on our guard in this one.”

Crewe Manager David Artell talked to club media about his side's recent games. 

"I think we're not happy with our own performances and by association the results. We've got to make sure we're striving to win every game possible and not satisfied with points against Ipswich or whoever it might be."

 

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