On Tuesday evening Walsall Football Club will travel North to Deepdale to take on Preston North End in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Our latest match preview is below.
WALSALL LATEST...
Walsall head into Tuesday's match following a 1-1 draw with play-off hopeful's Bradford City, loanee Jordy Hiwula bagging another goal to secure a point for the Saddlers.
Dean Smith's side are unbeaten in the last nine away league games, a statistic that puts them at the top of the away form table.
The Reds are averaging just over a goal a game (1.06), this stat is the same for goals conceded per game, with the Saddlers having a goal difference of 0.
The Reds are averaging just over a goal a game (1.06), this stat is the same for goals conceded per game, with the Saddlers having a goal difference of 0.
Smith could welcome back top scorer Tom Bradshaw, who was not risked during the trip to the Coral Windows Stadium as he felt a bit of tightness in his hamstring, adding to the poor Bantams' playing surface.
James Chambers, who was on the bench during the weekend, could be ready to return to the fold, however James O'Connor is capable of continuing in his position.
THE OPPOSITION...
Fourth placed Preston North End, who are seven points clear of fifth placed Sheffield United, arrive at the game on the back of a 2-0 Sky Bet League 1 victory over Scunthorpe United.
The Lilywhites are unbeaten in their last six home league games. North End have scored in every home league game so far this season, they have also scored at least one goal in the last fourteen games, they are currently averaging over a goal-and-a-half per game (1.53).
Twelve-goal forward Paul Gallagher is a doubt, the Leicester City loanee came off with a knock after scoring in North End's 2-0 win over Scunthorpe.
As well as the fit-again Joe Garner, Kevin Davies, Callum Robinson and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Jordan Hugill (knee), Andy Little (groin) and Jermaine Beckford (ear infection) are all back training for the promotion-chasing Lilywhites.
Twelve-goal forward Paul Gallagher is a doubt, the Leicester City loanee came off with a knock after scoring in North End's 2-0 win over Scunthorpe.
As well as the fit-again Joe Garner, Kevin Davies, Callum Robinson and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Jordan Hugill (knee), Andy Little (groin) and Jermaine Beckford (ear infection) are all back training for the promotion-chasing Lilywhites.
HEAD TO HEAD...
In terms of head to head, of the fifty-nine games played, it's Walsall that hold the slight advantage, with twenty-six wins to North End's twenty-two. There have also been eleven draws during the fixture's history.
Their first meeting took place on Saturday, 9th September 1961, in the old Division Two. The Saddlers won the match by three goals to two at Deepdale.
Their most recent encounter was the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - Northern Area Final (Second Leg) clash, which took place at a packed out Banks's Stadium on Tuesday, 27th January. The match ended 0-0 with the Saddlers progressing to the final on aggregate.
Walsall have won three, drawn one and lost two of the last six meetings between the two sides, a stat that stretches out to six victories in the last ten encounters. North End have won just two of the last ten, with the remaining two matches ending all square.
Their most recent encounter was the Johnstone's Paint Trophy - Northern Area Final (Second Leg) clash, which took place at a packed out Banks's Stadium on Tuesday, 27th January. The match ended 0-0 with the Saddlers progressing to the final on aggregate.
Walsall have won three, drawn one and lost two of the last six meetings between the two sides, a stat that stretches out to six victories in the last ten encounters. North End have won just two of the last ten, with the remaining two matches ending all square.
OFFICIALS...
The Football Association and The Football League has assigned the match to 44-year-old Darren Drysdale, who is based in Lincolnshire.
Mr.Drysdale has been refereeing since 1988, officiating in the Northern Alliance and Northern Premier League. He became an assistant referee for the Football League in 1996, and in 1997 progressed to be a Conference North referee.
He was appointed as an assistant referee for the Premier League in 1998, and was appointed to the Football League National List of referees in 2004.
He has take charge of nineteen games this season, in various competitions, where he has issued sixty-seven yellow and six red cards. He has also awarded two penalties so far this campaign.
The most recent Walsall game officiated over by Mr. Drysdale was the Saddlers' Capital One Cup Second Round clash with Crystal Palace, which took place at Banks's Stadium on Tuesday, 26th August 2014.
A first-half Dwight Gayle hat-trick proving enough to take the Eagles through to the Third Round.
Referee Drysdale refrained from issuing any yellow or red cards during a fairly competitive game.
Mr. Paul Kettlewell and Mr. Thomas Kirk will assist the referee, whilst Mr. Philip Dermott will act as Fourth Official.
TICKETS...
Walsall have received an allocation of tickets for this match, which is not all ticket, and they are currently on sale from the Banks's Stadium Ticket Office, at the following prices:
ADULTS: £21
OVER 65s: £15
STUDENTS*: £15
16-18s: £15
UNDER 16s: £8
UNDER 8s: FREE**
*With valid NUS or UCAS card
**Under 8s are free of charge with a full paying adult - this is only available on advance purchase tickets and will not be available on the day of the game
Disabled supporters price is relevant to age category, with accompanying carer free of charge.
Car parking is available on the Moor Park Car Park opposite the stadium on Sir Tom Finney Way and is priced at £5 per space, payable on the day and subject to availability.
Tickets will be available on advance sale up until 4.30pm on Monday, February 23rd 2015.