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
As their midweek meeting with Morecambe fell foul of the rather inclement weather in WS1, the Saddlers have once again been handed an opportunity to improve upon their recent home form as the prepare to welcome Newport County to Poundland Bescot Stadium.
After allowing a slender lead to evaporate when away to Gillingham last weekend, the Saddlers will be hoping their recent home form will continue as they hope to avoid slipping further from the Play-Off places.
The Saddlers haven't lost a home league game in their last five attempts, a run that dates back to their narrow 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town back in early November last year, and a match that saw George Thomson net the only goal with six minutes of the game remaining.
A victory over the Exiles, along with a few favourable results, could see the team return to the top half of the table in time for another busy few weeks as the few postponed games have now been added to the schedule, leaving little room for mistakes and dropped points.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Oisin McEntee, Harry Williams, Joe Riley, Jamie Jellis, Danny Johnson and Aramide Oteh are all currently keeping the medical department busy, though some may be cloer to a return than others.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Visitors Newport County are in the midst of a six-game unbeaten run and will arrive in WS1 on the back of a comeback win over Swindon Town as goals from Will Evans, who netted his 20th goal of the season, and Seb Palmer-Houlden cancelled out Paul Glatzel's opener to take all three points.
County's away form isn't quite as encouraging, however, as the Exiles have won just one of their last four awaydays, giving the Saddlers somethong to potentially build upon at the weekend.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Newport County have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
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NEWPORT COUNTY |
WWLDD
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Newport County have met on seventy-one 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 twenty 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 took place at Rodney Parade on Friday, 20th October 2023 and saw the spoils shared as the teams played out an entertaining three-all draw.
The first goal of the game arrived within four minutes of kick-off as former Walsall loanee Bryn Morris put the ball into the back of the net. Not the ideal start for the Saddlers.
The hosts' lead didn't hold firm for long as on-loan Lincoln City man Freddie Draper grabbed his sixth goal in a Walsall shirt to put the game back on level terms.
The home side retook the lead four minutes into first-half stoppage time as Will Evans took advantage of a sloppy Walsall backline to put the Exiles ahead.
Walsall weren't about to be beaten without a battle as, with eight minutes of the second half played, Freddie Draper went on to grab his second of the game to put the Saddlers back on level terms once again.
Newport retook the lead some sixty-seven minutes into the contest as Bryn Morris bagged his second goal of the game as he got on the end of a dangerous cross to guide the ball over the line.
Walsall once again got themselves back on level terms as Freddie Draper completed his hat-trick deep into second-half stoppage time.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Ahead of the match, the EFL has confirmed that Lee Swabey who is based in Devon, will be the man in the middle, whilst Kevin Howick and Samuel Clayton have been named assistant referees Ravel Cheosiaua will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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17
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
84
| 3
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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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