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 Walsall welcome Doncaster Rovers to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
The festive season is upon us and, in a more-than welcome change from recent campaigns, the Saddlers sit at the top of the tree after going some eleven league games without defeat.
Their most recent game came last Saturday afternoon and saw them defeat struggling Harrogate Town by two-goals-to-nil.
With Nathan Lowe netting his tenth league goal of the season and Albert Adomah marking his first league start with a goal, the Saddlers were able to avoid a potential banana skin and build a six point advantage over second-placed Port Vale.
Opponents Doncaster were also in winning for at the weekend as they defeated Tranmere Rovers 3-1 at the Eco-Power Stadium, the result seeing them reverse a run that had seen them go winless at home since early October.
Goals from Joseph Olowu, Patrick Kelly and Kyle Hurst were enough to cancel out Sol Solomon's late effort as they joined the Saddlers in taking advantage of Port Vale's goalless draw with Carlisle United.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
On-loan Birmingham City midfielder George Hall suffered a hamstring injury in training and is expected to miss the next few weeks as he undergoes treatment with his parent club.
Brandon Comley (broken jaw) could return sooner than expected as he will e fitted for a protective mask.
Meanwhile, Priestley Farquharson (thigh) and Josh Gordon (hamstring) also remain on the sidelines.
Jamille Matt is back in contention after missing the victory over Harrogate Town through suspension.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Doncaster Rovers have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
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DONCASTER |
DWWWW
| DWDLW
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Doncaster Rovers have met on sixty-nine previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who enjoy a comfortable Head-to-Head lead, having won on thirty-five occasions compared to Rovers' twenty-five.
There have also been nine draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Doncaster's Belle Vue ground on Saturday, 19th January 1924, and saw the teams meet in a Division Three (North) clash which Rovers won by three goals to nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting was a League Two clash that took place at the Eco Power Stadium on Tuesday, 9th April 2024 and saw Rovers win 2-1.
The opening goal of the game came with just over five minutes of the first-half remaining as Joe Ironside put the ball into the back of the net as the Saddlers were unable to deal will a cutting attacking move.
Doncaster also scored the second goal of the contest as Hakeeb Adelakun sent a looping header over an onrushing Owen Evans, the Saddlers backline once again unlocked with ease.
Walsall were able to halve the deficit during second-half stoppage time as Isaac Hutchinson got his name on the scoresheet, though the points still went the way of the home side.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Oliver Mackey who is based in Leicestershire will take charge of the match with Abbas Khan and Harley McKittrick being named as assistant referees, whilst Jamie Waters has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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14
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
58
| 3
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
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1
|