PREVIEW: v SCUNTHORPE UNITED (H) PREVIEW: v SCUNTHORPE UNITED (H)

PREVIEW: v SCUNTHORPE UNITED (H)

This weekend Walsall Football Club will play host to Scunthorpe United in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Here are the latest head to head statistics, referee information and more.
This weekend Walsall Football Club will play host to Scunthorpe United in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Here are the latest head to head statistics, referee information and more.

  WALSALL LATEST  
Dean Smith's Saddlers head into the game on the back of a fantastic 2-0 away victory over Preston North End in the first-leg of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, Northern Area Final.

The Reds have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five league games, and will be keen to bounce back from last weeks 2-0 defeat at home to Coventry City.

Smith has no major injury concerns heading into the game and is not expected to make many changes from the side that beat Preston.

However midfielder Sam Mantom (knee) continues to miss out, but is expected to return to full training in the very near future, following extensive treatment from Walsall Head Physio, Jon Whitney.

  THE OPPOSITION  
Eighteenth placed Scunthorpe United, who are managed by former Saddler Mark Robins and Assistant - David 'Ned' Kelly, haven't played a league game since their Boxing Day win over Rochdale (2-1).

They also drew two-all with Chesterfield in the Third Round of the FA Cup on January 6th, and are due to replay the tie on Tuesday 13th January.

The Iron have won three and drawn two of their last five league games, and will be keen to keep up their recently strong momentum.

On Friday they signed defender Jordan Clarke from Coventry City for an undisclosed fee.

They have also completed the loan signings of Norwich City winger Jacob Murphy, and Leicester City striker Tom Hopper, both will be available for this weekend's match.

  HEAD TO HEAD  
In terms of head-to-head, it's all-square between the two sides, of the forty-one meetings, both teams have won and lost thirteen, with fifteen fixtures ending in a draw.

Their first encounter took place at Fellows Park on Saturday, 28th November 1936. The match, which was in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, ended 3-0 to Walsall.

In more modern times, their most recent meeting took place earlier this season, on Saturday, 30th August 2014, the match ending 2-1 to Scunthorpe, goals from Hakeeb Adelakun and Gary McSheffrey enough to secure all three points for the Iron. Tom Bradshaw scored Walsall's goal as the Saddlers slipped to defeat.

Luke O'Neill, Billy Kee, and Neil Bishop were booked for the hosts, whilst James Baxendale and Billy Clifford were booked for the Saddlers.

  THE OFFICIALS  
The referee for this weekend's tie is scheduled to be Mr. Lee Collins, who is based in Surrey.

Mr. Collins has officiated over sixteen games in various competitions this season, where he has issued fifty-four yellow and two red cards. He has also awarded three penalties so far this campaign.

His most recent Walsall fixture is the Saddlers' 2-1 Sky Bet League 1 victory over Sheffield United, which took place on 1st January last year. Goals from Craig Westcarr and James Chambers were enough to cancel out Chris Porter's opener. Walsall 'keeper Richard O'Donnell received the only caution of the game.

Mr. Michael George and Mr. Joe Hull are due to assist the referee, whilst Mr. Robert Merchant is set to be Fourth Official.
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