Shrewsbury Town are backed to defeat Rotherham United in the English League Cup
Expired
Ro Shaun Williams is one part of an impressive back three for Shrewsbury Town (Getty Images)
Shrewsbury Town vs Rotherham United Preview, Predictions & Betting Tips
Shrewsbury Town are tipped to beat League One rivals Rotherham United in the opening round of the English League Cup. There is not a lot to separate the two teams in the betting market, with the home side priced at 2.70 and the away at 2.75.
Sam Ricketts' Shrewsbury side have been a tough side to break down in their opening two games, and their resilient tactical approach and home advantage should see them beat The Millers.
Shrewsbury Town Form & Team News
Shrewsbury’s last game was a 1-0 defeat away at MK Dons on Saturday. The Shropshire based club were defeated by an unlucky stoppage-time goal after creating an equal number of shots on target to their opponents.
Manager Sam Ricketts is likely to make a few changes to his side against Rotherham. Fejiri Okenabirhie scored 16 goals in all competitions for the Shrews last season, but was left out of the side against MK Dons in favour of Shaun Whalley.
Okenabirhie is likely to be back in the team on Tuesday, with Ricketts likely using the game to give some fresh players a runout. The former Dagenham and Redbridge striker has a strong record of scoring in cup competitions for the Shrews. Last season he grabbed six goals in ten appearances in cup competitions for the club.
Shrewsbury are also likely to hand a debut to goalkeeper Joe Murphy. The former Bury star has sat on the bench so far this campaign and is likely to get a chance to show what he can do.
Shrewsbury are currently priced at 2.70 to win the match, which I believe is excellent value. The Shrews defeated a strong Portsmouth side at The Meadow on the opening day of the campaign and can make the ground a fortress this season.
They also have a strong recent home record against Rotherham, winning five of their last seven matches at The New Meadow.
Sam Ricketts has built a strong side at Shrewsbury this season (Getty Images)
Rotherham United Form & Team News
Rotherham are also coming into this game on the back of a defeat at the weekend. The Millers were defeated 2-0 at home by newly-promoted Lincoln City.
Paul Warne’s men dominated possession and created a string of half chances but found themselves frustrated by a tough Lincoln defence. They only managed 3 shots on target, none of which were particularly threatening. The club’s front three of Freddie Ladapo, Carlton Morris and Kyle Vassell are struggling to gel with one another and Warne’s 4-3-3 attacking system.
Rotherham have struggled to find form away over the last 12 months. They defeated Wimbledon away on the opening day but before that, they had been defeated four times in their last six away league matches.
Their away form in the English League Cup is also poor. The club have lost nine of their last 10 away games in the competition, with their only victory coming in a penalty shootout.
The Millers' away problems stem from their inability to keep a clean sheet. The club have failed to keep a clean sheet away from home in 22 of their last 25 away games, and they are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this campaign.
The Yorkshire based club are currently priced at 2.70 for the match, which means they are very closely matched to the home side. This highlights how under-estimated Shrewsbury are on Tuesday with a draw currently valued at 3.40.
Shrewsbury Town vs Rotherham United Head to Head
Shrewsbury Town and Rotherham have clashed 28 times, with Shrewsbury coming out on top of 15 of those encounters. The last time the two teams met, Rotherham defeated Shrewsbury in extra-time in the League One play-off final to secure promotion to the Championship.
Kyle Vassell is having a tough time adjusting to Warne's tactics (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Shrewsbury Town vs Rotherham Match Up
Shrewsbury’s defence has been incredibly impressive in their opening two matches. They have only conceded one goal against two of the division’s most fancied sides and that was a result of a cruel deflection.
The club's back three in Ro Shaun Williams, Arron Pierre and Ethan Ebanks Landell have made a formidable partnership over the last two games. They should be able to frustrate a Rotherham strikeforce who have yet to find their footing.
Rotherham were frustrated with Lincoln’s physical approach to the game on Saturday and they could struggle even more against Shrewsbury’s impressive backline. Ricketts's 5-3-2 approach focuses on his team's strength at the back.
Shrewsbury Town vs Rotherham Key Statistics
Shrewsbury have won 5 of their last 7 home matches against Rotherham in all competitions.
Rotherham have failed to keep a clean sheet in 22 of their last 25 away games (all competitions).
Rotherham have lost 9 of their last 10 away matches in the English League Cup.
Verdict
Shrewsbury's strong defence is likely to frustrate Rotherham's inconsistent strikers. The home side are excellent value for the win on Tuesday night.
Best Bet: Shrewsbury Win @17/10 at bet365 - 2 Units
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Well, that went terribly. Did not anticipate Shrewsbury's manager making a total of 8 changes to the starting 11, and going 2-0 down in 2 minutes was the worst start I've ever witnessed to a match.