Shrewsbury Town will begin life in the EFL League Two with a home clash against Bromley on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season. The hosts were relegated from League One last season and will be hoping to begin their quest for immediate promotion.
Shrewsbury were relegated last season after finishing bottom of League One. They picked up just one win from their final nine matches, suffering six defeats in this run.
There have been some improvements for Shrewsbury Town in preseason, having won four of their six matches. However, Michael Appleton’s men are winless in their last two matches, losing 5-2 to Bolton Wanderers before playing out a 2-2 draw with Premier League side Burnley in their final friendly game.
Burnley had an unremarkable campaign last season as they finished 11th in the league. However, they ended the season on a solid note, winning three of their last four matches, and manager Andy Woodman will be keen to kick on from there.
Preseason started well for Bromley, who picked up four wins from their first five matches. However, they have failed to win their last two matches, playing out a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace U21 before falling 2-1 to Millwall in the previous fixture.
How the bookies view it: Shrewsbury with the edge
Shrewsbury Town have the edge among the bookies, with a home win priced at 6/5 in BoyleSports, who are also offering 17/10 for a Bromley victory. A draw is set at odds of 5/2.
Head to head: No previous meetings
This will be the first-ever meeting between Shrewsbury Town and Bromley.
Players to watch: Eyes on Marquis
Despite all of Shrewsbury Town’s struggles, John Marquis still got into double figures, finishing with 11 goals. The forward can combine with Anthony Scully to produce over 1.5 goals for the hosts (Shrewsbury Town over 1.5 goals – 2/7 by BoyleSports).
Bromley forward Michael Cheek was the top scorer in League Two last season with 25 goals and will be keen to carry over that form. Ben Thompson also has an eye for goals from midfield, and both men can produce over 0.5 goals – offered at 2/7 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups:
Manchester United loanee Elyh Harrison is expected to start in goal for Shrewsbury, while Tom Anderson and William Boyle should be part of the three-man defence. Sam Clucas and Harrison should get the nod in midfield, while Marquis and Anthony Scully should start up front.
Bromley should have Grant Smith back in goal after he missed their last pre-season game, while the trio of Idris Odutayo, Deji Elerewe, and Omar Sowunmi could get a spot in defence. Ashley Charles and Mitch Pinnock should be part of the midfield setup, with Cheek up front in attack.
Shrewsbury: Harrison; Anderson, Boyle, Stubbs; Nurse, Gilliead, Clucas, Biggins, Hoole; Marquis, Scully
Bromley: Smith; Elerewe, Sowunmi, Odutayo; Charles, Krauhaus, Thompson, Whitely; Cheek, Ifill, Pinnock
Anything else catch the eye?
Shrewsbury Town's last two matches produced over 3.5 goals – priced at 2/1 with BoyleSports, who are also offering 3/4 for over 2.5 goals. Both teams have scored in six of Bromley’s last seven matches (BTTS YES – available at 8/13).
Shrewsbury Town have grabbed the opening goal in four of their last five matches (Shrewsbury Town to score first – offered at 20/23).
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