South Shields face Shrewsbury Town in a massive first-round tie in 2025-26 FA Cup.
Victory would see the current iteration of South Shields reach the second round for the first time, whilst Shrewsbury look to avoid suffering another first-round exit for a second consecutive season.
Team News
South Shields have no fresh injury concerns to report coming into this tie.
Shrewsbury could be without a couple of unnamed players due to knocks suffered in their 2-2 draw at Oldham in League Two last weekend.
Bradley Ihionvien (knee) remains sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
South Shields host Shrewsbury on Sunday 2 November in a 12pm GMT kick-off at 1st Cloud Arena, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is South Shields’ first FA Cup meeting against Shrewsbury.
- Shrewsbury are making their first competitive visit to South Shields.
- South Shields have lost each of their two previous FA Cup ties against EFL opposition under their current iteration (L2).
- Shrewsbury are unbeaten in their last nine FA Cup matches against Non-League opposition – including replays (W7, D2), of which two of those seven ties in total went to replays.
Prediction
With just one defeat in all competitions this season and unbeaten at home, South Shields certainly can’t be underestimated because they are in strong form – but their defeat at Macclesfield last weekend suggested that their minds might be on this tie.
Shrewsbury meanwhile have found form with no defeat in their last four games but currently engaged in a relegation battle at the foot of League Two as one of the lowest goal-scoring teams, their priority might lie elsewhere although a cup run might be helpful for momentum and revenue reasons.
Although some expect Shrewsbury’s class to tell, I do expect them to rotate with their league situation in mind which could give South Shields the edge given their impressive home form with clean sheets in their of their last four home games.
Prediction: South Shields 2-1 Shrewsbury
Result: South Shields 1-3 Shrewsbury
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