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 welcome Bradford City to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
After scraping past Swindon Town in midweek — second-half substitute Danny Johnson's 89th minute goal securing a welcome win — the Saddlers go into this weekend's meeting with Bradford City in search of three more points.
Sitting just one place and one point outside the League Two Play-Off places, the Saddlers simply have to take maximum points from their clash with the West Yorkshire visitors if they are to give themselves the best chance of reaching the end of season knockout stage.
Despite the team already securing what will be their best finish since dropping to the fourth tier at the end of 2018/19, expectations are at an almost all-time high as the team has finally been able to accumulate enough points to truly mount a challenge upon the upper reaches of the table.
And, whether this season ultimately results in promotion to League One or not, there is plenty to build upon over the upcoming break, with Head Coach Mat Sadler more than proving his doubters wrong, though they'll probably never accept that.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
The Saddlers could welcome a few of the walking wounded back into the fold, although goalkeeper Jackson Smith looks likely to miss out as he continues to work his way through the concussion protocols. He suffered an injury against Tranmere Rovers earlier this month.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Visitors, Bradford City, were not in action in midweek but will reach this weekend's match on the back of a win as they defeated Salford City 2-1 on Saturday as they bagged two goals in response to the Ammies' opener to take all three points.
Former Saddler Andy Cook sits atop the Bantams' scoring charts, having notched seventeen goals across all competitions.
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 |
WWLLW
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Saddlers and Bantams have met on fifty-seven previous occasions, and it's Bradford who hold an overall lead having won nineteen times compared to Walsall's fifteen.
There have also been twenty-three 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 Valley Parade on Saturday, 30th September 2023 and saw Walsall secure all three points via a 3-1 win.
The first goal of the game arrived midway through the first-half as Andy Cook was on hand to convert from the penalty spot after Joe Riley had given away the penalty moments earlier.
Walsall didn't allow their heads to bow and were soon back on level terms as Liam Gordon cut inside his man before putting the ball low into the back of the net.
Remarkably, the Saddlers went on to take the lead deep into first-half stoppage tome as Aramide Oteh netted from a Ryan Stirk corner kick.
Walsall added to their lead eleven minutes into the second-half as on-loan Lincoln City striker Freddie Draper grabbed another goal to add to his collection.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Adam Herczeg who is based in Durham, will be the man in the middle, whilst Daniel Flynn and Joseph Pettitt have been named assistant referees. Thomas Staten will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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32
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
102
| 2
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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7
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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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