Match Overview
Exeter City and Shrewsbury Town are gearing up for a pivotal League 1 clash that could shape their respective seasons. With both teams hovering around the mid-table, a win here could propel them closer to the playoff spots, making this encounter at St James Park a must-watch for fans.
Odds Analysis
The average odds for this match suggest a slight edge for Exeter City with odds of 2.24, translating to a 44.64% probability of a home win. The draw is priced at 3.44, indicating a 29.07% chance, while Shrewsbury Town's odds of 3.17 give them a 31.55% probability of winning. Based on these odds, Exeter City is favored to secure a victory, but the close margins suggest a competitive match.
Team Analysis
Exeter City
- Current Form: Exeter City has shown mixed form this season, with an average of 1.09 goals per match and a possession rate of 52.72%.
- Strengths: Their ability to maintain possession and create chances through dribbles (21.56 per match) and successful passes (341.47 per match) are key strengths.
- Weaknesses: Defensively, they concede 1.56 goals per match, which could be a concern against Shrewsbury's attack.
Shrewsbury Town
- Current Form: Shrewsbury Town averages 1 goal per match and has a lower possession rate of 41.65%.
- Strengths: Their defensive resilience is highlighted by a higher number of interceptions (44.94 per match) and clearances (7.56 per match).
- Weaknesses: Offensively, they struggle with creativity, averaging only 1.62 key passes per match.
Head-to-Head
In their recent encounters, Exeter City has had the upper hand, but Shrewsbury Town has shown they can compete closely, making this match unpredictable.
Tactical Approaches
Exeter City is likely to focus on controlling the midfield and utilizing their dribbling skills to break down Shrewsbury's defense. Shrewsbury, on the other hand, may adopt a counter-attacking strategy, relying on their defensive solidity and quick transitions.
Key Players Spotlight
Exeter City
- Millenic Alli: With 9 goals this season, Alli is Exeter's main attacking threat.
- Angus MacDonald: A key figure in defense, contributing significantly to their CompaScore Defensive Rating.
Shrewsbury Town
- John Marquis: Leading the line with 8 goals, Marquis is crucial to Shrewsbury's attacking play.
- Mal Benning: A consistent performer, providing stability in defense.
Statistical Deep Dive
- Offensive Metrics: Exeter City averages more shots (8.75) compared to Shrewsbury (8.47), but Shrewsbury has a slightly higher shots on target rate.
- Defensive Metrics: Shrewsbury's higher interceptions and clearances suggest a more robust defensive setup.
- Possession and Passing: Exeter's superior possession and passing accuracy could be decisive in controlling the game's tempo.
Prediction and Conclusion
Based on the data, Exeter City is slightly favored to win, but Shrewsbury's defensive capabilities could make it a tight contest. Key factors will include Exeter's ability to convert possession into goals and Shrewsbury's effectiveness on the counter-attack. Expect a closely fought match with Exeter City edging it.
Final Score Prediction: Exeter City 2-1 Shrewsbury Town Half Time Score Prediction: Exeter City 1-0 Shrewsbury Town Both Teams to Score Probability: 50% Over 2.5 Goals Probability: 50%