The Saddlers return to action on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Accrington Stanley to the Poundland Bescot Stadium for their penultimate game of the 2024/25 campaign.
PRE-MATCH NEWS VIEWS, & TEAM NEWS
Walsall continue to struggle to put games to bed, as their once clear path to promotion has become as treacherous as the Wednesbury Road on a busy matchday.
Far from the team that once sat some twelve points clear at the top of the table, the Saddlers are now on the outside looking in, with their most recent outing coming in the form of a goalless draw away to Newport County.
Sitting atop the Play-Off places, four points behind new league leaders Doncaster Rovers, Mat Sadler's side are now in need of not only a return to winning ways but also require the help of one or more of the teams above them.
It's clear the team has lost confidence, and it's hardly surprising after seeing such a commanding lead collapse in such a manner, however, there is still a team in there somewhere, and here's hoping it'll show itself this weekend.
In terms of team news, Priestley Farquharson and Jack Earing are still out, whilst Josh Gordon is back training and in a race against time to return to action.
Sadler is likely to make more changes as he searches for a team capable of getting back amongst the goals.
OPPOSITION NEWS
In form not-too-dissimilar to their opponents, Stanley have won just one of their last eight league games, and reach the match on the back of a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Carlisle United.
Sitting two places and just six points above the relegation zone, Accrington are all-but secure in league one for another season, but would obviously like to seal the deal against the struggling Saddlers this weekend.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Accrington Stanley have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
|
STANLEY |
DLLDD
| LLDWD
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and the current incarnation of Accrington Stanley, which was formed in October 1968, have met on just eight previous occasions, and it's Stanley that hold a narrow head-to-head advantage.
Winning four and losing three (1 draw), Accrington lost the first meeting between the two sides. Taking place at Fraser Eagle Stadium on Saturday, 21st October 2006, goals from Hector Sam and Mark Wright either side of an Ian Craney effort were enough to secure the win for the Saddlers.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at Stanley's Wham Stadium on, Saturday, 26th October 2024, and saw the spoils shared as neither side was able to hit the back of the net.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that New Jersey-born Alex Chilowicz will take charge of the match with Jonathon Block and Joe Simpson being named as assistant referees, whilst Daniel Smith has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
33
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
104
| 8
|
PENALTIES
|
9
|
