2.4.2018.

PICK OF THE DAY

Shrewsbury - Oxford

Tip : 1

Odd : 1.80

FT : 3:2 WIN!!!

Oxford secured their first point under new boss Karl Robinson on Saturday, as they showed both grit and determination to rescue a share of the spoils against Scunthorpe after a poor first half. In contrast, Shrewsbury were unable to capitalise on what was a good first half when they were beaten 3-1 away at Rochdale, despite leading 1-0 early on. That result may just have handed automatic promotion to Blackburn, who’ve refused to go away from Shrewsbury, though it shouldn’t distract people from the fact that the Shrews have been exceptional all season.

Like many of Friday’s matches, the score-line between Rochdale and Shrewsbury didn’t exactly tell the full story. After a first half in which the Shrews bettered Rochdale in every area, as Dale manager Keith Hill admitted himself, they were particularly unlucky to go in level at the break. What’s more, Hurst’s promotion challengers didn’t exactly get the rub of the green in the second half. They may have lost, but punters shouldn’t read too much into that result.

Now back on their own patch, the Shrews will be determined to bounce back. If Oxford defend as poorly as they have done in their last couple of matches, then the hosts could easily get their own way, though they are often a threat going forward,

Not only has Shrewsbury’s overall game been pleasing this season, but what has been impressive is how Paul Hurst’s men have always been able to bounce back after a defeat. Only once this season have the Shrews lost two on the spin. Having played well even in defeat last time out, the hosts ought to fancy their chances on Monday.

Oxford are very much a hit and miss team; at times they’ve looked very good, especially going forward, and at other times they’ve come across as very ordinary. However, one thing that has remained for most of the campaign is the fact that they’re too open at the back. In truth, Karl Robinson’s men, who collected their first point under the new manager on Good Friday, were lucky not to concede two or three against Scunthorpe at the weekend, while they looked all over the place defensively when conceding three against Portsmouth prior to that.

Defensively solidity, or rather a lack of it in Oxford’s case, is likely to be the difference in this fixture, Shrewsbury are not only a better side overall, but they’re far more organised and are less likely to give away cheap goals. Only Wigan have conceded less goals on home soil this season than Shrewsbury, who’ve kept an impressive 11 clean sheets at New Meadow.

In addition to their overall defensive record at home, the Shrews have acquitted themselves very well against the lesser sides at New Meadow. Prior to this encounter, Paul Hurst’s men have won all five of their home matches against teams currently in the bottom eight, while they’ve kept a clean sheet in four of those.

Given their extra defensive solidity, and the fact that they’ve been mightily tough to get the better of on home soil this season, backing Shrewsbury is well worthwhile at odds which could prove to be somewhat generous.