Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Derby will be aiming to build on a 2-0 win over Cheltenham when they take on Shrewsbury in the League One round 35. The Rams are eyeing their 13th home win of the process, and they are seen as hot favourites to win Saturday’s clash. A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be experienced forward David McGoldrick, who has netted 15 goals in the League One so far this season. Both James Chester and Max Bird continue to miss out with injuries, while Tom Barkhuizen should be recalled to the starting XI after he was rested in the midweek triumph.
The Shrews, on the other hand, quickly bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Accrington, with the team beating Wycombe 2-0 in front of home fans, but seeing that Derby have turned their Pride Park into a real fortress, home win should be considered. Shrewsbury forward Rekeil Pyke is pushing for a rare start after finding the net in a 2-0 win over Wycombe.
Highlighted Player (Conor Hourihane):
Conor Hourihane is an Irish footballer who plays for Barnsley. The midfielder was born on 2 February, 1991 and he started his youth career at Premier League club Sunderland. In 2011 he joined Plymouth Argyle and he spent three years at Home Park.
After scoring 15 goals in 125 appearances for the Pilgrims in 2014 Hourihane decided to take next big step in his career. On 23 June he signed a three-year deal with Barnsley for a fee of £250,000. In August he won the League One Player of the Month award and, no doubt, he made a flying start to his Barnsley career. Hourihane made 46 appearances for the Tykes in the 2014/2015 League One campaign, scoring 15 goals and he certainly helped the team return to the Championship.
The Irish midfielder has eight caps for the U-21 team. His main position is central midfield, but he is capable of playing as defensive and left midfielder as well. Conor Hourihane is a right-footed footballer.
Highlighted Team (Shrewsbury):
Based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, Shrewsbury Town are a professional club that play home games at New Meadow stadium, the venue which was opened in 2007 and has the capacity of 10,361. Shrewsbury Town were founded back in 1886, with some reports indicating the club was established at the Lion Hotel.
The Blues wear blue shirts with yellow stripe and blue shorts when playing at home, whilst the colour of their away kit is purple. Mickey Brown holds the club record for most appearances as he played 190 games for the club, scoring 9 goals in the league. Both Wolverhampton and Walsall are regarded as the club’s fiercest rivals, but there have always been fireworks in matches between Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United as well.
The two teams face each other in the “A49 derby” and it has to be noted that the Blues have built rivalries with Chester City and Wrexham as well.