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Pre-Match News & Views
After suffering their third defeat in as many games last weekend - Exeter City winning by two-goals to nil on Saturday afternoon - Matthew Taylor and his Saddlers return to action on Tuesday as they welcome Bradford City to Banks's Stadium.
The result wasn't the only bad news to emerge from Saturday's defeat as defender Rollin Menayese saw red, the recent signee picking up two yellow cards, with the latter coming as 'keeper Carl Rushworth forcing the defender into action with a blunder he later apologised for.
The Saddlers were also dealt yet another injury blow as defender Stephen Ward was forced off with what we believe is a quad injury, which could see him miss the next few weeks of action.
The dismissal of Menayese leaves Matthew Taylor with just three first-team central defenders - in the shaper of Tom Leak and player/ coach Mat Sadler and new arrival Donervon Daniels, who joined the club on Monday afternoon.
Opponents Bradford arrive at the match on the back of a goalless draw with Rochdale, a result which adds to their recent spell of poor form - the Bantams winning just two of their last eleven league games.
With former Saddler Andy Cook among their strike force, the Bantams must be licking their lips at the prospect of taking on the weakened Reds.
Head to Head
There have also been twenty-two draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 7th January 1922 as the two sides faced-off in an FA Cup - First Round clash, which would ultimately end in a draw and force a replay just three days later.
The original fixture produced six goals but still couldn't separate the sides, however the replay saw four goals scored with a clear gap between the two as the Bantams eased through to the Second Round, winning by four-goals-to-nil.
Man in the Middle
The EFL has confirmed that Benjamin Speedie, who is based on Merseyside, will be the man in the middle on Boxing Day, whilst Richard Morris and Adam Ricketts have been named assistant referees. Tom Nield will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
24
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
74
| 2
|
PENALTIES
|
1
|
Catch the Match
You can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of each and every Saddlers match.
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