This weekend Walsall Football Club play host to Bristol City in Sky Bet League One, the Saddlers will be keen to avenge an away defeat suffered on Boxing Day last year.Walsall have failed to win more than two league games in a row this season before either suffering a defeat or draw, their current form, which includes two wins in the last three but just three in the last fourteen is a real concern for manager Dean Smith as the prospect of a play-off place hangs in the balance.
The Saddlers will be without top-scorer Craig Westcarr, who sits out the game through suspension, meanwhile on-loan Chelsea winger Milan Lalkovic could return to the starting eleven after beginning the last game on the bench due to a hamstring strain.
Fifteenth-placed Bristol City, who have only being defeated once in their last eight league games, are four point above the relegation places and will be keen to build on their 1-0 win over the Saddlers earlier in the season.
Manager Steve Cotterill has no new injury worries. Midfielder Bobby Reid has been out of favour with Cotterill, despite making a full recovery from a hamstring injury, but he is now set to be recalled
In terms of head-to-head, Bristol City hold the overall lead with twenty-seven wins to the Saddlers twenty-one, there have also been fifteen draws between the two.
Walsall have lost the last three meetings, and haven't recorded a victory since 11th February 2005.
Previous five results;
23 Oct '04 Walsall v Bristol City 1-2 League One
11 Feb '05 Bristol City v Walsall 0-1 League One
02 Jan '06 Bristol City v Walsall 3-0 League One
08 Apr '06 Walsall v Bristol City 0-3 League One
26 Dec '13 Bristol City v Walsall 1-0 League One
This weekend's referee is scheduled to be Nigel Miller who is based in County Durham. Miller has officiated over eighteen games this season, where he has issued thirty-four yellow and three red cards, he has also awarded seven penalties.
Amy Fearn and Nigel Smith are scheduled to run the lines, whilst Marvyn Amphlett is due to be fourth official.