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Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Early FA Cup exits meant Shrewsbury Town and Wrexham had the weekend off, so they should be fresh for Thursday's League One meeting at The Croud Meadow.

Just over 30 miles separate the pair as the Dragons head to Shropshire aiming to boost their promotion hopes and a win will take them to the top of the table, albeit having played more games than their rivals.

However, they have won only one of their last five on the road in the league and face Gareth Ainsworth's improving side, who sit 22nd in the table.

While a win will not lift them out of the bottom four, it will add to their survival tally and Salop have every chance of causing an upset.

Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham

Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham betting tips and predictions

Shrewsbury win or draw double chance - 19/20

Shrewsbury's home form is expected to be critical to their League One survival hopes and Ainsworth will relish Thursday's visit of a high-profile opponent.

The Shrews have won just three times at The Croud Meadow this season, but two of those victories have come since the 51-year-old's appointment in mid-November.

Among those scalps was that of leaders Birmingham City, so Wrexham will need to be wary, especially as they have won only three times on the road, most recently losing 2-1 at Barnsley on New Year's Day.

The Red Dragons won on their last trip to Shropshire, defeating Shrewsbury 1-0 in the third round of last season's FA Cup and also triumphed 3-0 when the pair clashed at the Racecourse Ground in September.

Ainsworth's arrival after a tough start to the campaign under Paul Hurst has added impetus and he might just use this game being on television as an extra chance to motivate his players.

With Wrexham struggling on the road and Shrewsbury potentially coming good, the hosts gaining a point or more looks like a decent play.

Steven Fletcher last goalscorer - 5/1

Shrewsbury will, though, have to counter Steven Fletcher's threat, with the much-travelled striker finding his scoring touch at home - netting in their last four at the Racecourse Ground - and looking to repeat that success on the road.

Now 37, the Scot still looks sharp and has embraced his status as a replacement, with Ollie Palmer and Paul Mullin usually starting and Fletcher coming on to finish games.

His last start came at Stevenage at the start of October and, after almost a fortnight off since his team's 1-0 win over Peterborough, the former Wolves and Burnley man is expected to retain his role as an impact substitute.

Fletcher's position means those recent goals have all been the last ones in the match and that is something to look for, with Town expected to start fast and then try to absorb pressure.

The 33-cap Scotland forward also has extra motivation - he was born in Shrewsbury while his late father was serving in the army and if the hosts sit deep, he could pop up with another late effort.

Malvind Benning to be booked - 12/5

Defender Malvind Benning was one of four Shrews players booked in that 3-0 defeat at the Racecourse Ground, with that caution contributing to his tally of nine for the season in all competitions.

The 31-year-old is playing as a left-wing-back rather than left-back following Ainsworth's switch to a back five, but while that allows him greater attacking freedom, it also means he has to cover more territory.

That can leave him out of position and vulnerable to picking up cards and he might be caught out by the talented Seb Revan, who dominates Wrexham's right-hand side.

Those two look set for a real tussle and Benning has shown that he is not afraid to take the rules into his own hands if it stops his man. 

Read more football betting tips and predictions on site

Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham odds

Shrewsbury Town - 7/2
Draw -
12/5
Wrexham -
4/5

View the full market and more odds for Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham on site

Read Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham how to watch, TV channel, head-to-head stats, team news and more on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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