Given both the goings on off the pitch and the fact that it was their first season back in League One, Coventry have done very well this campaign. Mark Robins’ men have played good football, have often hurt even the best teams in the division and look set for a very respectable top-ten finish. If some of the problems off the pitch can be resolved over the summer, then Coventry will be primed for a crack at promotion next season.
They may have lost at Fratton Park on Easter Monday, but Coventry performed very well indeed; they put together some neat passing moves, looked a real threat going forward and despite what the score-line suggests, didn’t look bad at the back at all. It looks as though Mark Robins has put together a side of real quality and if they can keep players such as Hiwula, Thomas and maybe even re-sign the exciting Bright Enobakhare on loan again, then the Sky Blues will be in with a shout of getting promoted next season.
As far as this match goes, Coventry will be looking to bounce back, and if recent home efforts are anything to go by, then they could easily do so. They were far too good for Bradford in their last match at Ricoh Arena, while they outplayed Bristol Rovers prior to that.
Like Coventry, Shrewsbury were unlucky to lose last time out, as they somehow lost a lead against the ten men of Oxford. They also lost against Barnsley on Good Friday, though their performance was once again encouraging.
Prior to their trip to Oakwell, where they played well, posting 2.07 expected goals for and conceding 1.11, Shrewsbury beat Gillingham on the road, while they made light work of beating Southend prior to that. Facing Coventry will be tougher, though their overall efforts away from home this season suggest that the Shrews can compete on Saturday afternoon.
From a betting point of view, ‘Both Teams to Score’ stands out as a decent option at the current prices. Coventry’s recent efforts at home suggest that they can hurt the Shrews, who’ve shipped five goals in their last two matches, though their defensive efforts also tell us that the visitors can make offensive headway.
In their last five at home, Coventry have averaged 1.68 expected goals for, while they’ve surrendered an average of 1.57. Shrewsbury have averaged 1.55 in their last five on the road and have conceded an average of 1.4. Such numbers suggest that the chance of both finding the net is slightly greater than the current odds suggest, so a bet on ‘Both Teams to Score’ represents a slice of value.
Coventry vs Shrewsbury Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews