A potentialy cupset is on the cards as Shrewsbury Town travel to Molineux to face Premier League side Wolves in the FA Cup this weekendThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Wolves manager Rob Edwards(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Looking to extend their unbeaten streak in all competitions to four matches, Wolverhampton Wanderers will host Shrewsbury Town at Molineux in the FA Cup third round on Saturday afternoon. Wolves earned a respectable point in their recent visit to Everton’s new stadium, while Shrewsbury Town’s struggles at the bottom of League Two persisted as the busy festive schedule drew to a close.
For the first time in a difficult 2025-26 campaign, Wolves have managed to go three consecutive Premier League games without defeat, most recently securing a draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton. That fiery midweek encounter on Merseyside saw both Michael Keane and Jack Grealish sent off for the Toffees, with Wolves capitalizing to find an equalizer through rising Black Country star Mateus Mane. At just 18, Mane has been a rare bright spot for Wolves, scoring in back-to-back top-flight matches as the club faces the looming threat of ending their eight-year stay in the Premier League.
Despite collecting a commendable five points from their last three outings, Rob Edwards’ side remain anchored to the bottom of the Premier League table, trailing 17th-placed Nottingham Forest by a daunting 14 points. Wolves, four-time winners of the FA Cup, have a proud history in the competition and will be eager to improve on last season’s run, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Bournemouth in the fifth round.
Shrewsbury Town, meanwhile, are in freefall towards non-league football after competing in League One last season against the likes of Birmingham City and Wrexham. The Shropshire club have endured a worrying end to the festive period, going six games without a win (two draws, four losses) in League Two before their scheduled match at Salford City was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Their last league victory came at home against fellow strugglers Newport County on November 15, leaving them 22nd in the table and just two points above the relegation zone.
Head coach Michael Appleton is striving to maintain a positive outlook as his team battles to avoid dropping into the National League, with Shrewsbury’s only win in their last nine matches coming against fifth-tier Sutton United in the FA Cup on December 6. Notably, the FA Cup has provided the only two competitive meetings between Wolves and Shrewsbury in the past decade, with Salop suffering defeat in a fourth-round replay at Molineux in February 2019.
Rewrite: Wolves have a number of injured players who will not be rushed back for an FA Cup clash, with the likes of Rodrigo Gomes (groin) and Toti Gomes (hamstring) on the sidelines. A standout player for the Premier League strugglers when available, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is out because of a hamstring problem. With backup goalkeeper Daniel Bentley nursing an ankle issue, Sam Johnstone is likely to replace Jose Sa in net for Edwards’s men this weekend. After making only six appearances for Shrewsbury so far this term, midfielder Harrison Biggins has been loaned out to fellow strugglers Newport. Scoring a last-minute winner to book the Shrews’ spot in the third round, Ismeal Kabia will be looking to upset the top-flight hosts on Saturday.
Wolves are dealing with several injury absences and are unlikely to risk bringing players back early for this FA Cup tie. Rodrigo Gomes (groin) and Toti Gomes (hamstring) remain sidelined, while influential midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is also out with a hamstring injury. With backup goalkeeper Daniel Bentley nursing an ankle problem, Sam Johnstone is expected to step in for Jose Sa between the posts for Rob Edwards’s side this weekend.
For Shrewsbury, midfielder Harrison Biggins has been loaned out to fellow relegation battlers Newport after making just six appearances this season. Meanwhile, Ismeal Kabia, who scored a dramatic last-minute winner to secure Shrewsbury’s place in the third round, will be aiming to cause an upset against their Premier League opponents on Saturday.
Shrewsbury Town vs Wolves Team News
Wolves are dealing with several injury absences and are unlikely to risk bringing players back early for this FA Cup tie. Rodrigo Gomes (groin) and Toti Gomes (hamstring) remain sidelined, while influential midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is also out with a hamstring injury. With backup goalkeeper Daniel Bentley nursing an ankle problem, Sam Johnstone is expected to step in for Jose Sa between the posts for Rob Edwards’s side this weekend.
For Shrewsbury, midfielder Harrison Biggins has been loaned out to fellow relegation battlers Newport after making just six appearances this season. Meanwhile, Ismeal Kabia, who scored a dramatic last-minute winner to secure Shrewsbury’s place in the third round, will be aiming to cause an upset against their Premier League opponents on Saturday.
Wolves vs Shrewsbury Town PredictionShrewsbury to win and both teams to score – 16/1 (Betfred)Over 2.5 goals – 1/2 (Betfred)
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