THE MATCH PREVIEW: Vs CARLISLE UNITED THE MATCH PREVIEW: Vs CARLISLE UNITED

THE MATCH PREVIEW: Vs CARLISLE UNITED

This coming Friday, Walsall Football Club travel to Brunton Park to face Carlisle United in Sky Bet League One.
This coming Friday, Walsall Football Club travel to Brunton Park to face Carlisle United in Sky Bet League One;

Walsall, who are currently tenth in League One, head into Good Friday's game on the back of a disappointing defeat to Bristol City, a result which all but ended the Saddlers faint hopes of achieving a play-off spot at the end of the season.

The Saddlers 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 four but just three in the last fifteen remains a real concern for manager Dean Smith as he looks towards next season.


Walsall could be without Chelsea's Milan Lalkovic, who has once again returned to his parent club with a hamstring injury. Top scorer Craig Westcarr will complete his suspension and will be available for selection on Monday versus Gillingham.

Relegation threatened Carlisle, who have won one of their last ten league games, go into the match on a 6-1 away hammering to Preston North End, the Cumbrians suffered something of a second-half collapse, having been down 2-1 at the break.

Carlisle have midfielder James Berrett back in contention following suspension, but Pascal Chimbonda and skipper Paul Thirlwell, as well as Sean O'Hanlon are doubts. United also received a boost midweek as they extend the loan of Watford's Reece Brown until end of season.

In-terms of head-to-head, Walsall have an outright lead with twenty-three wins to the Cumbrians sixteen, there have also been sixteen draws between the two.

The first official match, which was in Division Three (North), took place on 7th November 1931, the Saddlers suffering a 4-0 defeat in-front of 3,678 at Brunton Park.

Walsall will be keen to complete the season double over their opponents, having emerged victorious (2-0) at Banks's Stadium in December, Romaine Sawyers and Milan Lalkovic with the goals.


Previous five results;
01 Oct '11    Walsall v Carlisle United    1-1    League One
21 Jan '12    Carlisle United v Walsall    1-1    League One
06 Oct '12    Walsall v Carlisle United    1-2    League One
26 Feb '13    Carlisle United v Walsall    0-3    League One
21 Dec '13    Walsall v Carlisle United    2-0    League One

Friday evening's referee is scheduled to be Darren Drysdale who is based in Lincolnshire. 43-year-old Drysdale has officiated over thirty-one games this season, where he has issued ninety-seven yellow and eight red cards, he has also awarded seven penalties.

Nick Greenhalgh and Peter Wright are to be referee's assistants, whilst Gary Beswick is set to be Fourth Official.
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