Portsmouth v Shrewsbury preview
Friday 7 September 2018 10:45, UK
Portsmouth look set to be without Oli Hawkins, Jack Whatmough and Anton Walkes for the home clash with Shrewsbury.
Forward Hawkins was substituted after 42 minutes of the 3-0 win against Plymouth with a hamstring problem, while defensive duo Whatmough and Walkes did not appear for the second half having suffered hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
The trio were rested for the Checkatrade Trophy win over Gillingham in midweek, but are not expected to return this weekend. Striker Jamal Lowe heads into the game having been named PFA fans' player of the month for August after scoring four goals and providing one assist.
Shrewsbury have new signing Josh Emmanuel in contention for the trip. The 21-year-old defender arrived at the club from Ipswich on loan deadline day.
Boss John Askey has no fresh injury concerns to deal with as he looks to secure a first win of the season. Ahead of the game, he said: "It will be massive if we can get a result there and that could change our season."
Opta stats
Portsmouth have lost each of the last five league meetings against Shrewsbury, their longest current losing run against a single opponent in England's top four tiers (also Manchester United).
Portsmouth and Shrewsbury have never played out a league draw at Fratton Park, with Portsmouth winning each of the first nine such games, before losing the last two.
Portsmouth are enjoying a seven-game unbeaten run in League One (W6 D1) keeping four clean sheets during this period.
Shrewsbury Town have now gone eight matches without a league victory (D4 L4), their longest run without a win in the EFL since October 2016 (run of 10).
Portsmouth's Ronan Curtis has been directly involved in each of the club's last five league goals (3 assists, 2 goals) but will miss this contest due to an international call-up.
Prutton's prediction
Portsmouth have flown out of the traps this season and only the superb form of Peterborough has prevented Kenny Jackett's side from sitting on their own at the top of the table. Ronan Curtis looks an incredible find from the Irish league as well.
It's a different story for Shrewsbury altogether, who are struggling to adapt to life without Paul Hurst. They were 90 minutes away from the Championship in May but now they find themselves winless and second bottom of the table. This has got home win written all over it.
David Prutton predicts: 3-1 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
