Stevenage vs. Shrewsbury: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Recent results between the two teams suggest the home side are favourites against the potential relegation candidates. Stevenage won both games last season, with Shrewsbury Town failing to score in either. Shrewsbury are without a clean sheet in their previous four against their hosts, with less than 2.5 goals scored in four of the last five meetings.

A new signing from MK Dons, Daniel Kemp, will be eager to impress at his new home on the opening day for Stevenage. Daniel Kemp scored 17 last season for MK Dons in the previous campaign, averaging 0.9 shots per game.

Carl Winchester is our pick to fall into disciplinary issues for this game. Winchester received ten yellow cards last season whilst conceding 0.8 fouls per game.

With the recent record between the two teams and the close results, we are predicting a cagey 1-0 win for the home side. Stevenage 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

The opening weekend of the League One season presents a fascinating clash between Stevenage and Shrewsbury Town.

• Date: 10/08/2024
• Kick-off time: 17:30
• Location: Broadhall Way, Stevenage

Stevenage enjoyed a remarkable run in League One last season, finishing 9th after securing promotion from League Two the year prior. Under the management of Steve Evans, the club initially looked poised to achieve back-to-back promotions. They spent a significant portion of the campaign in excellent form, consistently challenging for the playoff spots and drawing attention as one of the league's surprise packages. Their defensive solidity and tactical organisation were key factors in their success, allowing them to punch above their weight.

However, as the season progressed, Stevenage's form began to wane. A late collapse saw them lose momentum, ultimately falling short of a playoff spot. The disappointment of missing out on a chance to compete for promotion was a bitter pill to swallow for the club and its supporters, especially after such a promising start. The challenge now is to regroup and build on the positives from last season while addressing the issues that led to their decline.

A significant development for Stevenage heading into the new season is the departure of manager Steve Evans. Evans, who was instrumental in guiding the club to League One against the odds, has returned to his former club, Rotherham United. His departure is a substantial blow to Stevenage, as his tactical acumen and motivational skills were pivotal to their success. Evans' departure leaves a void that the club will need to fill effectively to maintain their competitiveness.

Taking the reins at Stevenage is Alex Revell, a former player for the club who steps into the managerial role with a clear understanding of the team's ethos and ambitions. Revell's appointment represents a new chapter for Stevenage, but it also comes with challenges. The pressure to replicate or surpass last season's achievements will be immense, and Revell must quickly establish his authority and tactical approach.

In terms of squad changes, Stevenage has been active in the transfer market, aiming to strengthen their squad in key areas. The arrivals of Lewis Freestone from Cheltenham Town, Daniel Phillips from St Johnstone, Dan Kemp from MK Dons, Louis Appéré from Northampton Town, and Tyreece Simpson from Huddersfield Town provide a mix of experience and potential.

Freestone, a versatile defender, is expected to bolster the backline and provide additional options for Revell. Phillips, a dynamic midfielder, brings energy and industry to the centre of the park. Kemp, a technical midfielder, adds creativity and attacking flair, while Appéré and Simpson offer promise in the forward positions. These signings suggest that Stevenage is keen to build a balanced squad capable of competing in League One.

On the flip side, Stevenage has experienced some notable departures. Terence Vancooten has signed for Burton Albion, while Alex MacDonald, Harry Anderson, and Kane Hemmings have all left as free agents. These departures may impact squad depth, but the incoming players should help mitigate these losses and provide new options for Revell.

Despite the challenges posed by Evans' departure and the need to integrate new signings, Stevenage remain a team with potential. Their strong showing last season demonstrated their ability to compete at this level, and they will be eager to build on that foundation. However, expectations should be tempered given the managerial change and the competitive nature of League One.

The key for Stevenage will be maintaining consistency and avoiding the late-season slump that hindered their progress last year. If Revell can instil a cohesive playing style and get the best out of his squad, Stevenage may well defy the odds once again. However, given the managerial change and the quality of opposition, a mid-table finish may be a more realistic target for the club this season.

Shrewsbury Town endured a challenging campaign in League One last season, finishing 19th and narrowly avoiding relegation by just four points. Their struggles were characterised by a lack of goals, as they finished as the lowest-scoring team in the division with just 35 goals in 46 games. This lack of firepower put immense pressure on their defence and contributed to their struggles throughout the season.

The Shrews' defensive record was also fairly poor, and as a result, they spent much of the season battling to secure their place in League One, ultimately achieving survival but with little to celebrate.

Heading into the new season, Shrewsbury Town remain under the management of Paul Hurst. Hurst, a seasoned manager with experience in lower league football, will be determined to improve on last season's performance and guide the team to a more secure position in the league. However, the task at hand is not an easy one, and Hurst will need to address the team's weaknesses effectively.

Hurst's familiarity with the squad and his understanding of the club's challenges will be assets as he seeks to implement changes and instil confidence in his players. However, the pressure to deliver results and avoid another relegation battle will be significant, and Hurst must demonstrate that he can inspire his team to greater heights.

Shrewsbury Town has been active in the transfer market, making several signings to bolster their squad. However, there is a sense that their transfer activity has not adequately addressed the team's primary issue: scoring goals. The arrivals of players like George Lloyd, John Marquis, and Josh Kayode provide additional options in attack, but there are doubts about whether they can significantly improve the team's goal-scoring record.

Lloyd, a solid forward, has shown potential but may need time to adapt to the demands of League One. Marquis, an experienced striker, brings a wealth of knowledge and physical presence to the attack, while Kayode, a versatile forward, offers versatility and energy. While these signings add depth, the question remains whether they possess the quality to transform Shrewsbury's attacking fortunes.

Shrewsbury Town enter the new season with a point to prove and the determination to avoid another relegation battle. The team are considered one of the favourites for relegation, a status that reflects both their struggles last season and the competition they face in League One. However, this label also provides motivation for the players and staff to defy expectations and demonstrate their capabilities.

For Shrewsbury, success this season will depend on finding a way to address their goal-scoring issues. If they can become more clinical in front of goal and maintain their defensive solidity, they have the potential to secure a more comfortable league position. However, failure to resolve these issues could see them embroiled in another fight for survival.

Last season, Stevenage completed the double over Shrewsbury Town, winning 2-0 at home and 1-0 away. These results highlight Stevenage's ability to compete effectively against the Shrews and will undoubtedly be a source of confidence as they prepare for the opening fixture. Shrewsbury, on the other hand, will be eager to reverse these outcomes and start the season with a positive result.

This game will be aired live to all subscribed U.K. viewers on Sky Sports +.

Stevenage Team News:

Goalkeeper Murphy Cooper, midfielder Dan Kemp and striker Louis Appéré could all be given starts for the Boro.

Left-back Dan Butler hasn't featured too heavily in preseason but should be fit enough to start here.

Predicted lineup: Cooper; Wildin, Freestone, Piergianni, Butler; Kemp, L. Thompson, B. Thompson, List; Appéré, Reid.

Shrewsbury Team News:

The Shrews will likely hand starts to on-loan Aston Villa youngster Tommi O'Reilly, who is very highly rated.

New signings Toby Savin, Toto Nsiala, Luca Hoole, Jordan Rossiter and John Marquis could also start in what looks set to be a new look Shrewsbury side.

Predicted lineup: Savin; Feeney, Nsiala, Pierre; Hoole, Winchester, Rossiter, Shipley, Benning; O'Reilly; Marquis, Bloxham.

Stevenage finished last season in mixed fashion with two wins, one draw and two losses. The Boro lost 1-0 to Exeter City before claiming a 2-1 win against Barnsley, which preceded a 1-2 loss to Burton Albion and a 1-1 draw with Oxford United. Finally, Stevenage ended the season with a 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town.

In preseason, Stevenage have registered a 2-2 draw against Waterford, a 3-0 win over Jersey Bulls, a 1-3 loss to Coventry City and a 2-1 win over Braintree Town.

Shrewsbury failed to win any of their last seven games of the season last time out. Their final five results saw them record losses against Portsmouth (3-1), Wycombe Wanderers (0-2) and Leyton Orient (1-3) with draws against Bolton Wanderers (2-2) and Charlton Athletic (1-1) sandwiched in between.

The Shrews have also had a pretty poor preseason, winning just one of six games - a 2-1 win over Derby County. Other results have included defeats against Birmingham City (1-2), Leicester City (1-2) and Oldham Athletic (1-0).

Both of these two sides could be in for tricky seasons but it feels like Stevenage are much better placed to be a more competitive team. Ultimately, they still have most of the side that were successful last year and have made some decent additions in the transfer market.

Shrewsbury are likely going to have a very tough campaign and given their inability to put the ball in the back of the net, we can't see them getting much from this game. Stevenage 1-0 Shrewsbury.

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