This Saturday sees Walsall Football Club face Shrewsbury Town for the 83rd time, on this occasion, it's in the FA Cup First Round.The Saddlers have lost only one of the last eleven meetings between the two, that defeat coming during a televised encounter in October last year. Walsall haven't been defeated at home by Shrewsbury for nearly twenty years, a record that dates back to December 1993, when The Saddlers slipped to a 1-0 defeat in front of 4,979 at the Bescot Stadium.
Walsall should once again have a fully-fit squad to choose from as they seek to knock their rivals out of the competition. The Saddlers are in somewhat indifferent form at the moment, having won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five league games, they'll be keen to return to winning ways this weekend.
Shrewsbury have been in a poor run of form as of late, the Shrews have just two wins in ten, with four draws and four defeats, they were however victorious last weekend, as they overcame Sheffield United 2-0 at Greenhous Meadow.
The Shrews have this week extended the loans of Preston North End midfielder Nick Wroe and Middlesbrough winger Adam Reach until January, fellow loanee Christian Lopez has been recalled by injury-hit Huddersfield Town, The Shrews are also hoping to field on-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Liam McAlinden. Left-back Joe Jacobson has been ruled-out due to a hamstring injury.
This weekends referee will be Charles Breakspear from Surrey. His assistants will be Ian Dudley and Paul Marsden. Andrew Fox will be fourth official.
Referee Breakspear has presided over nine games in League One, League Two and the FA Trophy this season, where he has issued thirty-six yellow, and four red cards.