The Saddlers will be back in Sky Bet League Two action on Tuesday evening when they welcome Swindon Town to the Poundland Bescot Stadium for their rearranged clash.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall's Play-Off hopes are hanging by a thread as last weekend's defeat to Notts County means Tuesday evening's meeting with Swindon Town is almost win or bust for Mat Sadler's men.
A terribly-timed spell of poor form has seen the Reds squander a series of opportunities to make some ground on the rivals, with all four of the teams currently occupying the prized Play-Off places also losing at the weekend.
Despite there still being a very slim chance of the Saddlers making it to the top seven even with a defeat tomorrow, the team can't continue to let games pass them by if they are to achieve their ultimate goal of extending their campaign.
There is no doubt that this season has been a positive one. On track to securing their highest finish since dropping to the fourth tier some seasons ago, Mat Sadler has earned his position in the dugout and, with the correct backing, may well be able to guide the team up in 2024/25, but we'd much prefer him to do it this season.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Walsall continue to be without a whole host of players as the likes of Oisin McEntee, Harry Williams, Tom Knowles, Aramide Oteh and others work their way back to fitness.
Meanwhile, Brandon Comley will miss out as the midfielder picked up two yellow cards against the Magpies, adding to the Saddlers' woes.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Winning three of their last four league games, Swindon arrive at the match on the back of an enthralling 302 victory over AFC Wimbledon.
Unlike the Saddlers, the Robins were able to bounce back from conceding an early goal as they took all three points, despite a late goal and a red card.
Like the Saddlers, they'll be without a player with Udoka Godwin-Malife forced onto the sideline through suspension.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Swindon Town have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
SADDLERS
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SWINDON |
LWWLL
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been a total of 106 competitive meetings between Walsall and Swindon Town. And it's the Robins who hold a small overall lead having won 40 times compared to the Saddlers' 36.
There have also been thirty draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at the County Ground on Saturday, 15th October 1927 as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which the Robins won by five-goals-to-nil.
The Saddlers would also go on to lose the next two meetings, conceding another seven goals in the process, as their opponents enjoyed a strong start to the rivalry.
In fact, Walsall wouldn't secure their first victory over Swindon until their fifth meeting, which took place at Fellows Park on Monday, 23rd September 1929, and saw the Saddlers triumph four-nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Robins at the County Ground on Saturday, 16th September 2023 and saw the home side secure all three points.
Walsall started the game in terrible fashion as the well-travelled Charlie Austin bagged the opening goal of the game with just two minutes on the clock as he headed the ball beyond Owen Evans and into the back of the net.
The home side went on to double their lead two-minutes before full-time as Rushian Hepburn-Murphy capitalised upon some sloppy play between Liam Gordon and Owen Evans to poke the ball home to secure the points for the Robins.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Matt Corlett who is based on Merseyside, will be the man in the middle, whilst Joe Simpson and Emily Carney have been named assistant referees. Alistair Nelson will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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26
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
119
| 7
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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8
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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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