Join us across social media where we'll bring you all the build up and updates along with Team News, Match Stats and a Match Report as the Saddlers open the New Year with a trip to Notts County.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
Walsall extended their winning run to six league games on Sunday afternoon as Nathan Lowe's second-half brace saw them ease past Newport County at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Building an incredible twelve point advantage over the five teams below them, Mat Sadler's side continue to defy the odds going the month of December without defeat in all competitions.
Key to the Saddlers' run has been the form of goalkeeper Tommy Simkin, with the Stoke City starlet securing clean sheets in each of his last five league games. His reading of the game is superb for someone of his age and experience, something that will only improve as he continues to make his way in the game.
Along with Simkin's solidity has been the form of the ten players ahead of him. Be it the defensive solidity of Harry Williams and David Okagbue, the midfield strength of Jamie Jellis and Charlie Lakin, or the goal-threat of Nathan Lowe it has been a real team effort, and long may it continue.
Opponents Notts County have also been in good form as of late. Winning their last three league games, the Magpies sit third in the table on goal difference, with their most recent outing seeing them defeat Cheltenham Town 5-3 in a goal-fest at the EV Charger Points Stadium.
County's one to watch is striker Alassana Jatta, who has netted fourteen goals across twenty first-team appearances, including a brace against Cheltenham at the weekend.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Jack Earing suffered an as-yet undiagnosed ankle injury during the Saddlers' 2-0 win over Newport County and will miss the trip to Meadow Lane.
Josh Gordon (hamstring) recently returned to training and will spend the coming weeks building up fitness ahead of a return to action.
George Hall is out with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss several weeks of action as he undergoes treatment with parent club Birmingham City.
Brandon Comley (broken jaw) could return soon, whilst Priestley Farquharson (thigh) remains on the sidelines.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Notts County have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
NOTTS COUNTY
|
WALSALL |
LLWWW
| WWWWW
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Of the sixty-seven previous meetings, it's Notts County that hold the overall lead with twenty-six wins to the Saddlers' twenty-four. There have also been seventeen draws during the fixture's history.
Their first meeting took place on Saturday, 20th January 1894, and ended 2-0 to the Magpies. The two sides' second meeting, which took place at Fellows Park, on Monday, 12th March 1894 ended 2-1 to the Saddlers, who were then known as Walsall Town Swifts.
Walsall won four, drew one, and lost five of the first ten meetings, the run of games included some large scorelines including 5-0, 5-2, and 6-1 defeats.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The mist recent meeting between the Saddlers and Magpies took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 3rd December 2024 and saw the Saddlers win by three-goals-to-two.
After withstanding plenty of pressure from the visitors, it was the Saddlers who opened the scoring as Taylor Allen's corner looped over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net a few minutes before the hour mark.
Walsall doubled their lead just seven minutes later as on-loan Birmingham City midfielder George Hall struck home from the edge of the area to put the Saddlers further ahead.
The visitors were handed a lifeline later in the second half as Harry Williams clumsily fouled his man inside the area, leading t a County penalty that David McGoldrick was only too happy to take and score.
Walsall re-established their two-goal lead with four minutes of normal time remaining as Ryan Sritk, Jack Earing and Albert Adomah all collaborated before Nathan Lowe slotted the ball home from close range.
County were soon back to within a goal as Jack Hinchy scored from outside the area as Tommy Siskin seemed to misread the bounce of the ball.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Farai Hallam who is from Surrey will take charge of the match with Anthony Da Costa and Martin Parker being named as assistant referees, whilst Stephen Wade has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
|
19
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
52
| 1
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
|
2
|