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PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Winless in their last five League Two outings, the Saddlers arrive at this weekend's match on the back of a drab draw with Colchester United and in search of a much-needed return to winning ways.
With another fellow mid-table side coming to town, Michael Flynn's men can ill afford another slip, especially as the gap between them and the teams currently battling it out for a place in the Play-Offs is beginning to grow.
Of course, form comes and goes, and we shouldn't be too concerned by the odd run of draws and defeats, but the lack of consistent goals is a concern, especially if promotion is truly the target.
The departure of Danny Johnson has unsurprisingly led to a slump in the final third, and, whilst the club did its best to recruit new faces in a difficult market, they are yet to get up to speed, leaving us with a pretty flaccid in all the wrong places.
Whilst this weekend's meeting with Newport is far from a make-or-break game, it could become the catalyst for a return to some positive form, especially as it's the first of a run of games which sees the Reds play four of their next five games at home.
With seven of the Saddlers' ten wins coming at Poundland Bescit Stadium, its clear home comforts are important to the team, and, with the upcoming run of games seeing them only stray once, it'll be important to get back to winning ways, and soon.
Opponents Newport County have seen their form improve as of late, after failing to win in six, they have won two of their last three in the league, and will be looking to add to that run as they take on one of their former managers.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Walsall will once again be without midfielders Liam Kinsella, Joss Labadie, Joe Riley, and Jack Earing as they continue to occupy the time of the club's medical team.
There is some promising news with the injury of Conor Wilkinson as the striker has suffered a slight calf strain as opposed to a repeat of the knee injury which has already significantly impacted his 2022/23 campaign.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and this weekend's opponents Newport County have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
|
NEWPORT COUNTY |
DLDDD
| DLWWD
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Newport County have met on sixty-nine previous occasions and it's the Exiles who hold an overall Head-to-Head lead having won on twenty-seven previous occasions compared to the Saddlers' twenty-four.
There have also been eighteen draws over the fixture's history, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 8th October 1927 as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which Newport won by three goals to nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Exiles was a League Two clash which took place at Rodney Parade on Saturday, 6th August 2022, and saw Mickey Demetriou's second-half own goal prove to be enough to separate the sides.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Sam Purkiss, who is based in London, will be the man in the middle, whilst James Vallance and Paul Evans have been named assistant referees. Jacob Lehane will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
|
22
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
76
| 10
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
|
4
|
CATCH THE MATCH
If you're not planning on going to the game you can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of every Saddlers game.
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