Full rotation and goals are expected

Crewe won their first game for this competition, 4-3 vs Tranmere on the road, followed by a home loss 1-4 from Man City U21 team. They need only a win in tonight’s final game of the group, in order to qualify to the last 32 of EFL Trophy. They lost their two most recent games in League Two. Another home loss came last weekend, vs Carlisle, for the first round of FA Cup, an outcome that gave an end to their short journey in this competition. A win in tonight’s EFL Trophy game, except qualification, will surely improve the atmosphere in the team after these three losses in a row. 

Shrewsbury took two points from the win vs Man City U21 team and then humiliated Tranmere (6-0). Having 5 points in the group (a win in penalty shot-out gives two points instead of three), they need just to avoid a loss in the first 90 minutes, disregarding the result from a penalty shot-out method after a possible draw (in this case they will secure their qualification with a single point). In League One they are placed 18th, just three points above the relegation zone. Last weekend they had a 1-1 home draw vs Salford in FA Cup, a result that in combination with their mediocre start in League Two, led their management to sack their manager John Askey.

Both teams will play important league matches in the following weekend, so we have to expect full rotated squads in this EFL Trophy game. Crewe need nothing else but a win, while Shrewsbury can qualify even with a draw, regardless the outcome after the penalty shot-out process (there is no extra time played in EFL Trophy games). I expect an open game with goals from both sides, over 2.5 goals is my call.