On Tuesday evening Walsall Football Club will play host to Rochdale in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. The latest match preview is below.
Dean Smith's Saddlers head into the game on the back of a 2-0 Sky Bet League 1 victory over Doncaster Rovers.
The Saddlers have won two of their last five league games (lost two, drawn one), and moved back into the top half of the table (12th) following the weekend's result.
Dean Smith's Saddlers have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six league games and will be looking to improve on their recent home form, which has seen them win just one of their last six league games at the Banks's Stadium.
On the injury front, top-scorer Tom Bradshaw (hamstring) remains out. Ashley Grimes, Jordan Murphy and goal scoring debutant Jordy Hiwula, are waiting in the wings to step in.
Defender James Chambers missed the weekend's match through cramp, and could be in line for a return.
Midfielder Sam Mantom (knee) remains sidelined, and is targeting a return for the Saddlers' Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final clash with Bristol City on Sunday, 22nd March.
Dean Smith's Saddlers have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six league games and will be looking to improve on their recent home form, which has seen them win just one of their last six league games at the Banks's Stadium.
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On the injury front, top-scorer Tom Bradshaw (hamstring) remains out. Ashley Grimes, Jordan Murphy and goal scoring debutant Jordy Hiwula, are waiting in the wings to step in.
Defender James Chambers missed the weekend's match through cramp, and could be in line for a return.
Midfielder Sam Mantom (knee) remains sidelined, and is targeting a return for the Saddlers' Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final clash with Bristol City on Sunday, 22nd March.
THE OPPOSITION...
Eighth placed Rochdale arrive at Tuesday evening's game following a weekend off, their Saturday afternoon League clash with Leyton Orient was a victim of the weather.
Dale's most recent match was on Saturday, 31st January, the Sky Bet League 1 clash with Coventry City ending 2-2 at the Ricoh Arena.
Dale's most recent match was on Saturday, 31st January, the Sky Bet League 1 clash with Coventry City ending 2-2 at the Ricoh Arena.
Keith Hill's side have won two of their last five away league matches, drawing two, and losing one.
Overall Dale have won more than 50% of their away trips this season, drawing 15%, and losing 32%.
Rochdale midfielders Rhys Bennett (knee) and Matty Lund (dislocated shoulder) will both be missing.
HEAD TO HEAD...
In terms of head-to head, it's all square between the two sides with twenty wins apiece, there have also been sixteen draws during the fixture's history.
Their first meeting took place on Saturday, 24th December 1921, and ended 7-0 to Rochdale.
In more modern times, they last met on Tuesday, October 7th 2014, the match, which was played at Spotland Stadium, was in the Second Round of this season's Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
Walsall emerged victorious thanks to a 23rd minute goal from French striker Mathieu Manset.
Ben Purkiss and Ashley Grimes were booked for Walsall, whilst Ian Henderson saw yellow for Dale.
Their most recent League encounter took place at Spotland Stadium on Tuesday, 16th September. The Saddlers falling to a 4-0 defeat thanks to goals from Matt Done, Ashley Eastham, and Ian Henderson, along with an own goal from then on-loan defender Andy Butler.
Their most recent League encounter took place at Spotland Stadium on Tuesday, 16th September. The Saddlers falling to a 4-0 defeat thanks to goals from Matt Done, Ashley Eastham, and Ian Henderson, along with an own goal from then on-loan defender Andy Butler.
OFFICIALS...
The referee for this week's match is scheduled to be Mr. Stephen Martin, who is based in Staffordshire.
Referee Martin has taken charge of twenty-three games, in various competitions, this season, where he has issued sixty-seven yellow and two red cards. He has also awarded four penalties this campaign.
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Mr. Martin has only ever taken charge of one Walsall match, he officiated over the Saddlers' 2013/14 Pre-Season clash with Aston Villa, the match, which took place on Wednesday, 31st July at Banks's Stadium, ended 5-0 to the visitors, with Fabian Delph, Gabby Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke, Jack Grealish and Gary Gardner all getting on the score-sheet.
Mr. Martin most recently served as Fourth Official during Saturday afternoon's Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Blackpool.
Mr. Nigel Smith and Mr. James Wilson are due to assist the referee, whilst Mr. Daniel Meeson will be Fourth Official.
