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 their way to Edgeley Park on Saturday afternoon.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
The Saddlers were in cup action last weekend as they took on Championship side Southampton in an ultimately futile Emirates FA Cup - Third Round clash that saw the Saints ease to victory by four-goals-to-nil.
Despite their Cup collapse, the Saddlers have been in superb form in the league and will be in confident mood as they take on table-topping Stockport County at a packed-out Edgeley Park.
Winning five of their last six League Two games, the Saddlers are among the most in-form sides in the country and, although they sit atop the table, will take on a County side that is winless in its last three games.
Draws with Barrow and Bradford City and a defeat to Mansfield Town have seen our hosts' lead shrink to just two points, with Mansfield Town and Wrexham hoping the Saddlers can help them leapfrog their title rivals at the weekend.
Although the Saddlers squad has been damaged by a handful of departures, that of Freddie Draper back to Lincoln City clearly chief amongst them, the team remains strong and, were it not for an ongoing injury crisis, should have more than enough about it to compete with the brightest and best this league has to offer.
With the Transfer Window currently open, we hope the gaffer can continue to plug the gaps that have appeared over the last few weeks and go into the final half of the season with a strong, competitive squad.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Aramide Oteh recently continues to step up his return from a lengthy lay-off as he takes part in training sessions on the grass at the club's Essington Training Ground, though he remains unlikely to feature.
Oisin McEntee will miss the next three months of action after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury, Harry Williams is suffering from an abdominal issue, whilst Jamille Matt is still struggling with a groin strain.
Meanwhile, Mat Sadler could hand a second debut to striker Josh Gordon after the Burton Albion man completed a loan switch back to WS1 on Thursday evening.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Stockport County have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
STOCKPORT COUNTY
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WALSALL |
WWDDL
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Stockport County have met on fifty-one previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold a Head-to-Head lead having tasted victory on twenty-four occasions, compared to County’s eighteen. There have also been nine stalemates over the history of this fixture.
The two sides first met on Saturday, 22nd September 1900 in a Division Two clash that took place at County's Green Lane ground and saw the hosts win by four-goals-to-one.
The 1900/01 campaign was Stockport's first in the Football League after gaining admission earlier in the year.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Hatters and Saddlers took place at Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 12t August 2023 and saw Walsall take all three points.
The match started slowly for the Saddlers as they struggled to make much of an impact, whilst their opponents had all of the attacking lay, that was until Danny Johnson netted his second goal of the season with a superb strike which gave the 'keeper no chance.
After enduring more pressure, the Saddlers were once again able to capitalise upon an opening as Aramide Oteh, who had replaced Harry Williams in the second half, scored with a low effort from inside the area following Oisin McEntee's pass.
Stockport were able to halve the deficit late into second-half stoppage time as Ryan Rydel came off the bench to give his side a glimmer of hope, however, the Saddlers held on for the win.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Ben Atkinson, a Dental Surgeon who is based in Cheshire, will be the man in the middle, whilst Steve Durnall and Johnathon Bickerdike have been named assistant referees. Ben Toner will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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19
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
95
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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5
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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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