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 take on Newport County at Rodney Parade.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
The Saddlers made it eleven games without a win on Good Friday as they snatched a late point against Harrogate Town in front of over 7,000 fans at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Going into the game on the back of a duo of defeats, the team were in desperate need of not only a return to winning ways, but a return to the level of performance that saw them sit at the top of the table for much of the campaign.
Despite taking just a point from the contest, it can easily be argued that their display against the Sulphurites was an improvement upon other recent games, although they lacked enough of a cutting edge to take those all-important points.
In what is yet another gift from the footballing gods, most of the other Good Friday games went the way of the Saddlers and, as such, they are sill in position to gain promotion, though, as they now sit fourth in the table, they will need yet more slip ups from others.
Head Coach Mat Sadler continues to talk a good game but has clearly been struggling to get through to a handful of his players, as performances have seen a once-commanding lead disappear in favour of a four-point deficit.
With three games remaining before the league ends and the Play-Off's begin, here's hoping he can finally get through to his squad and guide them to a much-needed win in south Wales.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Opponents Newport County have also been going through a dismal run of form. Making it six games without a win on Good Friday, the Exiles and Milton Keynes Dons played out a rather drab draw at Stadium MK.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Newport County have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
NEWPORT COUNTY
|
WALSALL |
LDLLD
| DDLLD
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Newport County have met on seventy-three previous occasions, and it's the Exiles who hold an overall Head-to-Head lead, having won on twenty-eight previous occasions compared to the Saddlers' twenty-five.
There have also been twenty draws over the fixture's history, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 8th October 1927 as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which Newport won by three goals to nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Sunday, 29th December 2024 and saw the Saddlers win by two-goals-to-nil.
The supporters had to remain patient for the first goal, as it didn't arrive until the seventy-third minute as Nathan Lowe added another to his growing tally with a prod over the line from a Taylor Allen pass.
Lowe added his and Walsall's second deep into second-half stoppage time, as he received the ball from Allen and slammed home from the edge of the area.
MATCH OFFICIALS
London-based Sam Purkiss will take charge of the match, with Kevin Howick and Declan O'Shea being named as assistant referees. Dale Baines has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
19
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
86
| 4
|
PENALTIES
|
9
|
