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 and Shrews face-off in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
The Saddlers reach their midweek trip across the border on the back of a frustrating one-nil defeat to Harrogate Town, and a match that saw them once again fail to make the most of their opportunities before being punished at the other end.
Opponents Harrogate had to withstand a barrage of attack - the Saddlers creating some twenty-five shots - before securing all three points thanks to George Thomson's second-half strike.
Defensive errors aside, the Saddlers simply have to make more of their openings in the final third as just a few more results like the one they suffered at the weekend and they'll be back near the foot of the table trying to avoid being sucked deeper into trouble as the games continue to arrive thick and fast.
Tuesday evening's EFL Trophy - Southern Group A meeting with the former Welsh Cup participants couldn't come at a worse time.
Not only is the match completely meaningless as both the Saddlers and Shrews are already out of the competition, but the Saddlers will be off next weekend as a trio of first-teamers saw their countries come calling resulting in the scheduled meeting with Doncaster Rovers being postponed.
Although the extra few days without a game could well allow some of the injured players to return to training, the space between games will likely serve to inflame the already growing tension between the club and its fans as the season just hasn't really got going.
With the manager and star striker Danny Johnson seemingly not on the nest terms, the team is lacking a focal point and, whilst Freddie Draper has gone above and beyond since arriving in WS1 on loan, he isn't a long-term option, especially as his parent club is highly likely to recall him in January.
Hopefully, the board will act to at least ease the apparent issues between the gaffer and his squad and find a way to bring harmony to Fortress Bescot once again. Our season may well depend on it.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Walsall are without a raft of players as the likes of Priestley Farquharson, Harry Williams, David Okagbue, Oisin McEntee, Jack Earing, Aramide Oteh, Ross Tierney, and Freddie Draper are all making their way towards a return to action.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Shrewsbury Town currently sit 16th in Sky Bet League One.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been ninety-seven competitive meetings between Walsall and Shrewsbury Town, and it's the Saddlers that enjoy an overall statistical lead having won on forty-three occasions compared to the Shrews' twenty-five.
There have been twenty-nine draws over the history of the fixture, a history that began at Gay Meadow on Saturday, 17th November 1945 as they met in an FA Cup, First Round clash that the Shrews won comfortably as they scored five goals without reply.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent competitive meeting between the Saddlers and Shrews was a Leagie One clash that took place in front of over 9,000 fans at Montgomery Wayers Meadow on Saturday, 4th May 2019, and saw the spoils shares as neither team was able to find the back of the net.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Ruebyn Riccardo who is based in Leicestershire, will be the man in the middle, whilst Thomas Harty and Ben Toner have been named assistant referees.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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10
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
42
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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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