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 Walsall make the trip to Gander Green Lane where they'll take on Sutton United.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
After last weekend's welcome win against the now managerless Bradford City, Mat's Saddlers went onto their midweek meeting with MK Dons in fairly confident mood and in search of another positive display.
Despite another positive display from Lincoln loanee Freddie Draper, and a clean sheet from stopper Owen Evans, the Saddlers had to settle for just a point against the stuttering 'Dons', with fans once again puzzled by the status of summer signing Danny Johnson.
Johnson, who netted some fifteen goals in thirty games during last season's loan spell, has netted just twice across eight appearances so far this season and, seems to have fallen out of favour with the gaffer.
Although we have no idea what's going on, and with the clear possibility of new parent fatigue seeing DJ rooted to the bench, we're still somewhat concerned by his lack of action and hope that whatever the issue is it can be resolved sooner rather than later.
Back to more positive matters, and the aforementioned Freddie Draper, the loanee has more than proven himself capable at our level and is quite rightly earning plaudits from fans and pundits alike.
We hope Freddie and DJ can begin to collaborate and build a potent attacking line over the coming weeks and months, though we fully expect Draper's parent club to come calling in January, it'd be nice to have a few fond memories of him before he inevitably goes on to make his way in the game.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
The Saddlers still have Rollin Menayese, Brandon Comley, and Jack Earing out as they continue to recover from injury, with Priestley Farquharson also missing out after suffering an Achilles issue last weekend.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Sutton United have endured a truly terrible start to the 2023/24 Sky Bet League Two campaign.
After opening the season with a 5-1 triumph over Notts County, they have gone on to lose nine of their last ten league games, with the Amber and Chocolates' most recent match seeing them lose two-nil to Salford City with Matt Gray's side entering an improved yet futile display.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Sutton United have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
SUTTON UNITED
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WALSALL |
LLDLL
| WLLWD
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been just four competitive meetings between Walsall and Sutton United, and it's the Saddlers who hold the Head-to-Head advantage having won on two occasions, with the other two games ending all-square.
The first meeting between the two sides took place at the VBS Community Stadium on Saturday, 30th October 2021, and was separated by just one goal as on-loan Leicester City forward Tyrese Shade netted in the sixty-sixth minute.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 1st April 2023, and saw the spoils shared as Isaac Hutchinson's goal in the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time saw the Saddlers snatch a point following Alistair Smith's first-half opener.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Ed Duckworth who is based in Cheshire, will be the man in the middle, whilst Ryan Whitaker and Adam Ricketts have been named assistant referees. Chris Wade will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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7
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
44
| 1
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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2
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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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