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 welcome the Bluebirds to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall are in superb form heading into this weekend's meeting with Barrow. Going some nine league games without defeat, the Saddlers are also enjoying a strong run in the EFL Trophy as they secured a place in the Round of 16 with a penalty shoot-out win over Reading in midweek.
The Saddlers' most recent league outing also resulted in a win, as Jamille Matt's goal saw them sneak past then-league leaders Port Vale to take their place at the top of the table.
Adding to last week's welcome win over Notts County, the result has pushed the team into an incredibly promising position heading into the ever-busy festive season.
With games against promotion rivals, mid-table hopefuls, and relegation battling teams, all ahead there is no time to count out Turkeys as this could very well be the portion of the season that propels the team back into the third tier.
As mentioned in last week's Match Preview, the season clearly can't be won in December, but it most certainly can be lost, but, with that being said, this team seems to have everything the faithful want, with plenty of grit, determination and luck to keep this run alive.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Jamie Jellis (calf) is back in contention after taking part in training earlier this week, whilst Brandon Comley (broken jaw) is still out of action but could return sooner than expected as he will e fitted for a protective mask.
Priestley Farquharson (thigh) will be out for six to eight weeks. Dylan Thomas (dislocated shoulder) and Josh Gordon (hamstring) also remain on the sidelines.
OPPOSITION NEWS
After opening their season with just one defeat in seven league games, the Bluebirds have gone on to win just one of their last eleven and continue to slip down the table.
Their most recent league win took place back on Saturday, 5th October and saw them defeat Cheltenham Town 2-1 at the SO Legal Stadium - they’ve gone on to draw four and lose four, putting them near the foot of the form guide.
As last weekend's meeting with the in-form Milton Keynes Dons fell victim to Storm Darragh, Barrow's most recent match saw them hold Bradford City to a one-all draw as Robbie Gotts' opener was cancelled out by former Saddler, Andy Cook.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Barrow have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
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BARROW |
DWDWW
| DDLLD
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Saddlers and Bluebirds have met on forty previous occasions, and it's all-square between the two sides with fourteen wins apiece.
There have also been a total of twelve draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 4th February 1922 as the two sides faced-off in a Division Three (North) clash which saw the Saddlers secure the win by three-goals-to-one.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting, a Sky Bet League Two clash, took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 12th March 2024 and saw the spoils shared as the teams scored a goal apiece.
The game's opening goal went the way of the Saddlers and was scored by the returning Rollin Menayese, who capped off his return from a short spell at Aldershot by heading home from a Taylor Allen corner kick.
Barrow were gifted the chance to level the scores early in the second half as Rollin Menayese felled Emile Acquah inside the area, leading to Dean Campbell to slip the ball home from the spot.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Andrew Humphries who is based in Northamptonshire will take charge of the match with Wayne Gray and Kenwyn Hughes being named as assistant referees, whilst Adam Burgess has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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7
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
19
| 1
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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0
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