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 the Sulphurites to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
Winless in their last ten league games, the Saddlers will reach Friday's match on the back of a disappointing defeat to Barrow and a performance that saw them fail to muster a single shot on target.
With a record that puts them at the foot of the form guide, the team has been saved time and time again by other teams failing to capitalise, but, with just four games remaining, simply have to rediscover the form that saw them sit some twelve points clear in the middle of the campaign.
Head Coach Mat Sadler has rightly faced a wealth of criticism over recent weeks and months, but some must also land at the feet of the players. They have also played a part in what may well go down as one of football's biggest collapses.
To go from a team that looked to be heading to promotion at a canter to one that could well fall out of Play-Off contention is nothing short of spectacular, and it's time the players showed us that they actually care.
There are four cup finals ahead. And it's high time the team lifted some silver wear, even if it is of the fictitious variety.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Priestley Farquharson and Jack Earing are still out through injury, whilst Josh Gordon could feature on the bench.
Harry Williams continues to be frozen out, with many speculating he has penned a pre-contract deal elsewhere.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Opponents Harrogate Town have won just one of their last six games, and will reach Friday's match on the back of a two-all draw with Grimsby Town, with the Sulphurites needing a late Danny Rose goal to secure them a share of the spoils.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Harrogate Town have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
|
HARROGATE |
DDDLL
| DDWLD
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have only been nine competitive meetings between Walsall and Harrogate Town, and it's all-square in terms of head-to-head, with three wins apiece.
The other three games ended in draws, as there has been little to separate the two teams over the last few campaigns.
The first meeting was played behind closed doors at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, 19th September 2020 — Harrogate were in the middle of replacing their synthetic pitch to bring them in line with EFL regulations.
The match was an eventful, high-scoring affair as, despite taking an early lead, the Saddlers left it late to take a share of the spoils as Josh Gordon levelled nine minutes from full-time.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the Sulphurites' Exercise Stadium on Saturday, 21st December 2024 and saw the Saddlers win by two-goals-to-nil.
The game got off to a slow start, with the wind making more of an impact than the players. That was until around ten minutes before the break when Nathan Lowe added another goal to his tally after taking the ball off a Town defender before slamming the ball home.
Walsall doubled their lead midway through the second-half when Albert Adomah, who was named in the team for the suspended Jamille Matt, put the ball into the bottom corner following a Charlie Lakin cross.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Scott Simpson who is based in Staffordshire will take charge of the match with Emmanuel Edet and Stephen Wade being named as assistant referees, whilst Alex Gray has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
27
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
102
| 5
|
PENALTIES
|
11
|
