Walsall will be back in Sky Bet League Two action this weekend as they welcome Bradford City to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
After suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons last weekend, the Saddlers have had a welcome week without action and should go into this Saturday's match with more pep in their step.
Recent performances in the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy should serve as fuel for the upcoming run of games that will see the team head back into the cups as well as attempt to make progress in the league.
The raft of injuries continues to be a worry, especially as so many players from defensive positions are currently absent, not to mention Josh Gordon, who often runs his heart out for the cause.
Hopefully, the team con continue to defy the odds and eke out the odd win and draw as their colleagues edge ever closer to a return to action.
Opponents Bradford City sit just one place and one point above the Saddlers heading into this weekend's match after losing just one of their five games so far.
Their most recent outing saw them squeeze past Carlisle United 2-1 as former Saddlers striker Andy Cook bagged a brace, taking him to four goals in his last four games.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Priestley Farquharson is out for four months, Donervon Daniels is out for three months, and Oisin McEntee, Liam Gordon, Brandon Comley and Josh Gordon are out for a few weeks. Danny Johnson continues his bid for fitness with a place on the bench.
Goalkeeper Tommy Simkin will likely return to the starting line-up after a spell on international duty with the England Elite League squad.
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
|
BRADFORD CITY |
WWLWL
| WDWLW
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Saddlers and Bantams have met on fifty-eight previous occasions, and it's Bradford who hold an overall lead having won twenty 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. This 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 was a League Two clash that took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on, Saturday, 20th April 2024, and Saw the Saddlers snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
The first goal of the game went the way of the Saddlers as Ryan Stirk slotted the ball into the back of the net following Isaac Hutchinson's superb attacking drive. A third goal of the season for Stirk.
The Saddlers grabbed the second goal of the game nine minutes later as Mo Faal netted his third goal in as many games as, following a ling Jackson Smith clearance, he headed the ball past the onrushing City 'keeper as Walsall looked to keep their Play-Off hopes alive.
Former Saddler Andy Cook was the next to score as he sent a header beyond the returning Jackson Smith, putting the Bantams back into the game and adding to Saddlers fans' nerves.
Bradford dragged the Saddlers back onto level terms with five minutes of the first-half remaining as Jamie Walker added to his earlier assist as he headed the ball over the line to make it two-all.
The visitors took the lead for the first time eight minutes into the second forty-five as Jamie Walker continued his strong showing by tapping the ball home after Andy Cook saw an effort blocked.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Merseyside-based Lewis Smith will take charge of the match with Alex Gray and Ceri Williams being named as assistant referees, whilst Karl Buckley has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
|
6
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
19
| 0
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
|
1
|