Shrewsbury vs Exeter City Predictions

Shrewsbury vs Exeter City predictions ahead of this Nations League clash. Shrewsbury aim for consecutive League One wins for the first time this season as they host Exeter at New Meadow on Thursday night. Read on for our match preview and free betting tips.

Nations League | League A | Oct 17, 2024 at 7.45pm UK at New Meadow

Shrewsbury vs Exeter City Predictions

Can Exeter’s Defensive Prowess Overcome Shrewsbury’s Flawed Revival?

• Exeter’s Defence in Top Form: The Grecians have kept five consecutive clean sheets, demonstrating their ability to shut down opposition attacks and control games.
• Shrewsbury’s Inconsistent Attack: Despite their recent 5-3 win, the Shrews have struggled in front of goal, managing just five strikes across their five home games this season.
• Jack McMillan’s Offensive Role: The Exeter wing-back has shown attacking intent, registering four shots in his last eight matches, making him a good bet for at least one effort against Shrewsbury.

Our Tips

As the battle heats up in League One, we are set for an intriguing midweek clash between Shrewsbury Town and Exeter City at the New Meadow. Shrewsbury, still lingering dangerously close to the relegation zone, will look to build on their recent 5-3 victory against Crawley. Meanwhile, Exeter are eyeing a top-four spot, having established themselves as one of the division’s form sides with four wins from their last five matches. Can the Shrews find some consistency, or will Exeter’s defensive resilience prove too much? This game is shaping up to be more than just a routine League One encounter; it could set the tone for the rest of both teams’ seasons.

Now, let’s delve into the heart of this match-up and explore where the value lies for those placing their bets. After careful consideration of recent form, stats, and tactics, we believe there are some excellent opportunities for punters to take advantage of.

Best Bet: Exeter City to Win to Nil

The strongest prediction for this fixture is Exeter City to win without conceding. Yes, Shrewsbury’s recent 5-3 victory might suggest a revitalised attacking force, but let’s not be fooled by that scoreline. Crawley had a player sent off early in the second half, and that numerical advantage allowed the Shrews to run riot. Before that, their attack had been distinctly underwhelming, scoring just eight goals in ten league matches. Not exactly the kind of form that suggests they’ll suddenly find their shooting boots against one of the league’s stingiest defences.

Exeter’s defensive record is nothing short of impressive. Gary Caldwell’s men have kept five clean sheets in their last five outings across all competitions. That’s no fluke—this side has mastered the art of keeping opponents at bay, limiting them to few chances, and maintaining concentration for the full 90 minutes. If you’re looking for solidity, this Exeter backline has it in abundance, and Shrewsbury, for all their attacking hope, don’t have the consistency to break them down.

The Shrews have failed to score in three of their five home games this season, and their overall attacking output has been lacklustre. Although they netted five against Crawley, it’s important to consider context: four of those came after the opposition was reduced to ten men. This was a freak occurrence rather than a demonstration of attacking prowess. A repeat performance against a well-drilled Exeter unit seems unlikely.

What makes this bet even more attractive is Exeter’s efficiency on the road. Not only have they won tough away fixtures against Bolton and Leyton Orient, but they’ve done so by keeping clean sheets. Shrewsbury’s defence, on the other hand, is far from reliable, having conceded at least two goals in each of their last three league games. It’s hard to see how they’ll find a way past Exeter, who are becoming experts at frustrating their opponents.

“Exeter’s defensive shape is one of the best in the division, and with Shrewsbury struggling for consistent firepower, the chances of them breaching the Grecians’ backline seem slim. Backing Exeter to win to nil feels like a strong call,” says BettingTips4You.com expert Gram Dodd.

Second Prediction: Jack McMillan to Have Over 0.5 Shots

For our next bet, let’s focus on a player performance market that provides excellent value—Jack McMillan to have at least one shot in the match. McMillan, playing as a right-wing back for Exeter, has shown a knack for getting into advanced positions, and he’s not shy about letting fly when the opportunity presents itself. He’s managed four shots in his last eight League One matches, including one in their 1-0 win over Cambridge.

In a game where Exeter are likely to dominate possession, especially against a Shrewsbury side that prefers to play on the counter, McMillan should find space to join the attack down the right flank. With the Grecians relying on width to break down opposition defences, the wing-backs play a crucial role in creating overloads. McMillan’s attacking involvement in recent weeks suggests he will have at least one opportunity to try his luck from range.

Given his current form and Exeter’s tendency to spread the ball wide, this market offers value. Punters looking for a smaller stake option could do worse than back McMillan to test the Shrewsbury keeper at least once.

Correct Score Prediction: Exeter to Win 2-0

Tying our best bet together with a correct score prediction, a 2-0 victory for Exeter City looks like the most plausible outcome. Shrewsbury’s defence has been leaky, conceding at least two goals in their last three league outings. Even when they do muster some attacking verve, their defensive frailties remain a glaring issue. Exeter, while not prolific in front of goal, have the organisation and clinical edge to take advantage of this.

A 2-0 scoreline seems fitting given that Exeter have only scored ten goals in their nine league matches so far, but it’s also clear they don’t need to score many to win games. Their focus on defensive solidity allows them to control matches with fewer risks, and this will likely be the game plan at New Meadow. Shrewsbury will struggle to create meaningful chances, and the Grecians should be able to notch a couple of goals without too much fuss.

Exeter have been efficient away from home, and with their superior organisation, expect them to secure a professional 2-0 win. Shrewsbury simply don’t have the firepower to break down such a well-structured defence, and the visitors are capable of grinding out another solid result.

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