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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 Walsall welcome the Spireites to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
Walsall made it five league games without a win in midweek as they and visitors Gillingham played out a one-all draw in front of over 6,000 fans in WS1.
Taking the lead via Jamille Matt's 10th goal of the season, the Saddlers were swiftly dragged back onto level terms via Robbie McKenzie's goal of the season contender midway through the second half.
Though the result wasn't as bad as it could have been, especially with so many teams happily awaiting the slightest slip up, it's miles from the level of performance that the team was entering just a few short weeks ago.
Gone is the assured backline and confident attack, and in its place is a side that seems incapable of doing anything than shooting itself in the foot.
Affording an opponent the freedom of the final third, whilst failing to find the target at the other end, it's fair to say the team is in something of a rough patch, and must find a way back to form sooner rather than later.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
On the injury front, Josh Gordon is set to undergo a scan after being forced off during the draw with the Gills.
Priestley Farquharson, Jack Earing, and George Hall will also miss out.
Taylor Allen following is back in contention following his red card at the weekend.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Opponents Chesterfield will reach this weekend's match on the back of an unexpected thrashing of title-chasers Doncaster Rovers earlier in the month.
Goals from Bim Pepple, who netted twice, Dylan Duffy, Michael Olakigbe and Ollie Banks saw the Spireites deny Rovers a fifth win in as many games, doing the Saddlers a huge favour in the process.
The result was Chesterfield's second win in three games, form which is in stark contrast to the recent spell that saw them go five without a win.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Chesterfield have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
|
CHESTERFIELD |
LLDLD
| DDWLW
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been a total of 95 competitive meetings between the Saddlers and Spireites, and it's the Saddlers that hold a small head-to-head lead, having won 35 times compared to Chesterfield's 31. (29 draws).
The first meeting was a League Division Two clash that took place at Hilary Street, later known as Fellows Park, on Saturday, 11th November 1899, and Walsall won by six goals to three.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the SMH Group Stadium on Saturday, 5th October 2024 and saw the spoils shared as the teams played out a two-all draw.
Walsall grabbed the opening goal of the game with 33 minutes on the clock as on-loan Stoke City striker Nathan Lowe slotted home after a lapse in the Chesterfield backline that first saw Jamille Matt have a shot saved, allowed Lowe in to score.
Chesterfield levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time, as Darren Oldaker slammed the ball home following a rarely-seen indirect free-kick.
The Saddlers didn't allow their hosts' late leveller to get them down, as they went straight back into the lead as Liam Gordon's pass found Lowe in space, and he was only too happy to send the ball home to restore his team's advantage.
The home side levelled the scores once again as Dilan Markanday smashed the ball into the back of Tommy Simkin's net following some poor Walsall defending.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Sunny Singh Gill will take charge of the match with Mark Cunliffe and Samuel Fudge being named as assistant referees, whilst Karl Buckley has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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22
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
78
| 1
|
