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 Reading to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall reach their midweek cup outing full of belief and in a rich vein of form after picking up wins over Notts County and Port Vale, the latter coming after Jamille Matt grabbed the only goal of the same during a stormy afternoon in Burslem on Saturday afternoon.
A game of few chances, the Saddlers continued to demonstrate great strength both in and out of possession, and fully deserve their place at the top of the table ahead of this latest run of games.
After easing through their EFL Trophy group, avoiding defeats against opponents Birmingham City, Shrewsbury Town, and Fulham's Under-21s, the Saddlers have every right to feel confident as they take on the League One Royals.
The Saddlers have enjoyed plenty of success against teams from League One so far this season, already coming up against the aforementioned Blues and Shrews, as well as Exeter City, Huddersfield Town, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic, Mat Sadler's side has only suffered defeat on one occasion.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Jamie Jellis (calf) could be back in contention, whilst Brandon Comley (broken jaw) will miss the next few weeks.
Priestley Farquharson (thigh) will be out for six to eight weeks. Dylan Thomas (dislocated shoulder) and Josh Gordon (hamstring) also remain on the sidelines.
Head Coach Mat Sadler is likely to shuffle the pack as much as the rules of the competition allow, with Sam Hornby in line to make his sixth appearance of the season.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Managed by Noel Hunt after previous boss Ruben Selles was recruited by Hull City last week, Reading will reach Tuesday's match on the back of a 1-1 draw with Wycombe Wanderers. They came back from a goal down as Harvey Knibbs cancelled out Beryly Lubala's opener.
Ahead of the Round of 32, the Royals finished second in their EFL Trophy group, behind leaders Cheltenham Town, the only team to defeat them in the group stage.
Looking at their league form and, Reading have gone five games without defeat (W2, D3), and sit in the Play-Off places after eighteen games.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been seventy-five competitive meetings between the Saddlers and the Royals, with Reading winning on twenty-nine occasions compared to Walsall's twenty-three.
There have also been twenty-three draws across the history of the fixture, a history that began at Elm Park on Saturday, 19th September 1936 as the two teams met in a Division Three (South) clash that Reading won 2-0.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent competitive meeting was an FA Cup Fourth Round clash that took place at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, 30th January 2016 and saw the Royals ease to victory by four-goals-to-nil.
Goals from Hal Robson-Kanu, Matěj Vydra - who grabbed a brace - and Danny Williams were more than enough to knock the Saddlers out of the competition, ending a strong showing from the Boys from the Bescot.
Reading went on to knock West Bromwich Albion out at the Fifth Round stage, before losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace in Round Six.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Steven Copeland, who is a Police officer based on Merseyside, will take charge of the match with Thomas Cooke and Harley Hetherington being named as assistant referees, whilst Matthew Bacon has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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14
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
61
| 6
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
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11
|