This Wednesday evening Walsall make the trip to Deepdale to take on Preston North End on the first leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area Final. Here are the latest head to head statistics, referee information and more.
WALSALL LATEST
Dean Smith's side head into Wednesday evening's game on the back of a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Coventry City.
Smith has no major injury concerns heading into the game and is not expected to make many changes.
Although defender James Chambers may miss out after liming off during last week's defeat to Coventry City with an injured toe.
Midfielder Sam Mantom continues to miss out, but is expected to return to full training in the very near future.
Smith has no major injury concerns heading into the game and is not expected to make many changes.
Although defender James Chambers may miss out after liming off during last week's defeat to Coventry City with an injured toe.
Midfielder Sam Mantom continues to miss out, but is expected to return to full training in the very near future.
THE OPPOSITION
Manager Simon Grayson has some difficult decisions following the impressive display of his much changed side in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Championship high-flyers Norwich City.
With only Jordan Hugill and Joe Garner ruled out the manager has to select a squad of 16 with everyone else fit and available.
With only Jordan Hugill and Joe Garner ruled out the manager has to select a squad of 16 with everyone else fit and available.
HEAD TO HEAD
In terms of head to head, of the fifty seven games played, it's Walsall that hold the slight advantage, with twenty-five wins to North End's twenty-two. There have also been ten draws during the fixture's history.
Their first encounter took place on Saturday 9th September 1961, in the old Division Two. The Saddlers won the match by three goals to two at Deepdale.
Their most recent encounter took place at Banks's Stadium on Saturday 13th September 2014, Walsall winning the match 3-1, with goals from Romaine Sawyers, Tom Bradshaw and Paul Downing.
Joe Garner had scored midway through the first half for North End but this was cancelled out by two second-half Saddlers goals.
Richard O'Donnell and Mal Benning were booked for the Saddlers, whilst Jordan Hugill was sent off for the visitors.
THE OFFICIALS
Mr. Simon Hooper, who is based in Wiltshire, is scheduled to officiate over this match.
Referee Hooper has taken charge of twenty-two games in various competitions this season, and has issued seventy-one yellow and three red cards. He has also awarded four penalties.
His most recent Walsall FC match was November's 2-1 victory away to Notts County.
A Gary Jones own goal and a Tom Bradshaw penalty enough to cancel out Garry Thompson's earlier equaliser.
County's Hayden Hollis and Walsall's Paul Downing both picked up bookings during the game.
Mr. William Smallwood and Mr. Peter Wright are set to assist the referee, whilst Mr. Kevin Wright is in line to be Fourth Official.