Don't forget to join us across our social media channels where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers return to action.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
After battling it out on the top half of the table for much of the first half of the 2022/23 campaign, the Saddlers are in a downward spiral which has seen them go some nine league games without a win.
Arriving at the match on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Barrow - which saw Billy Waters' goal secure the points for the Bluebirds - Michael Flynn's men have simply got to find a way to win.
Aside from the three goals scored in the three-all draw with Hartlepool United, the Reds have scored just two goals in eight league games and, if this form continues, could very well find themselves dragged closer to the battle to avoid a drop to the National League.
Despite enjoying a seventeen-point advantage over twenty-third-placed Crawley Town, there are more than enough points available to see that gap shortened before we reach the business end of the season.
Whilst the gap between the Saddlers and the Play-Offs is just twelve points, you'd be hard-pressed to find a fan who would currently back their beloved to make it into the prized positions before we no longer have to plan our weekends around the beautiful game.
Clearly, the team has already shown itself capable of winning games, but with a Danny Johnson-sized hole remaining, we're struggling to find the positives heading into Tuesday's clash with the Bantams.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Fifth-placed Bradford City have won four of their last five league games, and arrive at the match on the back of a two-nil triumph over cash-rich Colchester United, a match which saw them net two goals in second-half stoppage time to keep their recent run alive.
Losing just once in nine league outings, Mark Hughes' side are currently among the in-form teams in the fourth tier and will be favourites to maintain that run as they make the trip to Poundland Bescot Stadium.
ONE TO WATCH
Former Saddler Andy Cook is having another superb season for the Bantams. Scoring twenty-two goals across thirty-seven first-team appearances, he will no doubt be a huge threat to the Walsall backline on Tuesday evening.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Bradford City have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
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BRADFORD CITY |
DDDDL
| WLWWW
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Saddlers and Bantams have met on fifty-five previous occasions and it's Bradford who hold an overall lead having won nineteen times compared to the Saddlers' fourteen.
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.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Bantams took place at the University of Bradford Stadium on Saturday, 3rd September 2022, and saw former Saddler Andy Cook join Jake Young on the scoresheet in the first-half to earn a 2-1 victory over Walsall.
The Reds' goal arrived twelve minutes into the second forty-five with captain Donervon Daniels halving the deficit.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Lewis Smith, who is based in Solihull, will be the man in the middle, whilst Richard Morris and Matthew Parry have been named assistant referees. Thomas Harty will act as Fourth Official
GAMES OFFICIATED
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26
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
91
| 0
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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4
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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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