Match Preview: v Gillingham (H) Match Preview: v Gillingham (H)

Match Preview: v Gillingham (H)

Here we take a look ahead to the Saddlers' League Two meeting with Gillingham.
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 Gillingham to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

PRE-MATCH VIEWS

Walsall made it four league games without a win at the weekend as they failed to build upon Charlie Lakin's third goal of the season when opponents Colchester United struck twice to take all three points.

Recent defeats to Bradford City and Fleetwood Town, coupled with a bounce-back draw with Salford City, have seen the Saddlers' fifteen point lead cut to just six points ahead of their meeting with the Gills.

Defensive solidity is one of the things that has defined the Saddlers so far this season, but it has been some eight games since the backline kept a clean sheet, with far too many points dropped due to sloppy defending.

Added to the defensive woes is the ongoing lack of power in attack. Despite scoring seven goals in their last five league game, the Reds have won just once and simply have to find the form that saw them build a huge margin at the top of the table.

With several upcoming games seeing the Saddlers take on teams that currently sit in mid table and below, there is no better time for the team to turn things around and get this promotion chase back on track.

WALSALL TEAM NEWS

Walsall will be without the services of Priestley Farquharson (thigh) Donervon Daniels (calf) Jack Earing (ankle), and George Hall (hamstring).

Deadline Day signings Alfie Chang (Birmingham City) and Darius Lipsiuc (Stoke City) are in line for their debuts after missing out at the weekend.

OPPOSITION NEWS

Gillingham are winless in their last nine League Two outings, with their most recent match seeing them defeated 3-0 by Barrow as Kian Spence's brace was added to by Tyler Smith late in stoppage time.

Sitting 19th in the table ahead of kick-off, the Gills have been steadily falling down the table after sitting at the top during the opening months of the season, and are in desperate need of a return to winning ways.

FORM IN FIVE

Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Gillingham have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.

WALSALL
GILLINGHAM
WLLDL
LDDLL

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Saddlers and Gills have met on 120 previous occasions, and it's all-square between the two, with forty-seven wins apiece. (26 draws)

Their first meeting took place on Saturday, 24th September 1927 as they met in a Division Three (South) match which was played in front of some 6,923 Fellows Park fans, and ended in a 7-4 win for the Saddlers.

THE LAST TIME WE MET

The most recent meeting took place at the Gills' Priestfield Stadium on Saturday, 3rd February 2024 and saw the spoils shared as each side grabbed a goal on the way to a draw.

It was the Saddlers who would take the lead as Shadrach Ogie handled an Isaac Hutchinson shot in the area, leading to Isaac stepping up and taking the spot kick.

Gillingham went on to level the scores via Conor Masterson with around thirteen minutes of normal time remaining as he slammed the ball home following a well-placed long throw routine.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The EFL has confirmed that Thomas Parsons who is based in Lancashire will take charge of the match with Richard Morris and Adam Ricketts being named as assistant referees, whilst Callum Gough has been selected as Fourth Official.

GAMES
23
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
117
4
PENALTIES
6

TENNER TUESDAY

For this fixture, adults can enjoy the game for just £10, with concessions at £5 and Under-12s for just £1

Tickets are on sale now! Make sure you secure yours early and join us for what promises to be a brilliant night of football under the lights at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

Tickets can be purchased online here via the club's official eTicketing website, or by calling the Ticket Office on 01922 651416.

Those who have already purchased a ticket should contact the Ticket Office, where they will be eligible for a refund of the difference.
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