Shrewsbury vs Walsall Predictions

Shrewsbury’s survival was secured a few weeks ago, though Walsall are set for a stressful final day. The Saddlers are currently just a point from safety, so a win could save them, though as there are three teams slightly better off than them, even victory may not be enough for Martin O’Connor’s men to beat the drop. All they can do is beat Shrewsbury and hope for the best.

There’s been lots to like about the way in which the Shrews have gone about their business over the last month or so. They’ve seemingly took little notice of talk of relegation and have instead delivered some pleasing performances, which has allowed Sam Ricketts’ men to go into the final weekend feeling nice and relaxed.

Shrewsbury did lose their last home match, but they played well in defeat, as they clocked 1.52 expected goals for and conceded just 0.71. In fact, the Shrews have been playing well at home for a while. Only one team outside of the current top six has beaten Shrewsbury at home this season, while no team outside of the current top half has returned from New Meadow with all three points.

From an underlying numbers point of view, the Shrews have been solid in front of a home crowd during the current campaign. They average 1.5 expected goals for and 1.16 against, while they’ve bettered their opponents in terms of expected goals in each of their last five in front of a home crowd.

Walsall did win last weekend, but they had the good fortune of facing a Peterborough side that failed to turn up. Prior to that victory, the Saddlers had gone eight games without a win, while they’ve won none of their last eight on the road, seven of which they’ve lost. Somewhat disappointingly, Walsall have failed to score in four of those eight, while they’ve conceded at least twice in six.

Keeping things tight has been a problem for Walsall away from home this season, especially over the last few months, though a lack of attacking power has been a bigger issue. The Saddlers have scored a measly average of just 0.85 goals away from the comforts of Bescot Stadium, while they’ve failed to find the net in a rather chunky 41% of their travelling matches.

The fact that it is Walsall who’ve got something to play for has clearly been factored into the early prices, though it’s very easy to feel that the visitors are far too short. Not only have they had plenty of issues on the road, but they’re up against a very solid Shrewsbury side, a side that is one game away from going the whole campaign without losing against a bottom-half team at home.

Frankly, the hosts are overpriced in the early betting. They may technically have nothing to play for, though the Shrews aren’t the sort of side to throw the towel in, especially when they’ve got the opportunity to end the season on a high at home against weak opposition.