Match Preview: v Scunthorpe United (H) Match Preview: v Scunthorpe United (H)
Posted by: Bescot Banter

Match Preview: v Scunthorpe United (H)

Here we look ahead to Tuesday evening's League Two clash between Walsall and Scunthorpe United.
Don't forget you can join across social media where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as Darrell Clarke and his Saddlers return to action.

News and Views

After seeing their unbeaten run halted after six-games without defeat - Salford City hitting two goals without reply on Boxing Day - Darrell Clarke's Saddlers welcome Scunthorpe United to the Banks's on Tuesday evening.

With three 2020-ending points up for grabs the Saddlers have the prefect opportunity to bounce back from their disappointing defeat as they take on a side who have win just one fo their last five League Two outings.

As injuries continue to blight the team, manager Darrell Clarke will have his work cut out of he is to field a team capable of creating enough chances for the attacking line.

The loss of attacking midfielder Rory Holden is a major blow to the team and we can only home he has to pay a fleeting visit to Physio Marc Czuczman's office and is able to get back to action sooner rather than later.

As we have mentioned many time over the course of the season, the manager has many options at his disposal including but not limited to youth prospect Jayden Campbell, who could provide that unknown spark to a team in need of a boost.

Whilst last weekend's defeat to Salford was their first loss in seven outings, the Saddlers will have to work hard to avoid an unwelcome return to the form which saw them battling towards the bottom of the table earlier this season.

Opponents Scunthorpe, who sit in 20th position ahead of kick-off, also slipped to defeat at the weekend, their fourth defeat in five League Two outings, as fellow strugglers Mansfield Town took all three points from a high-scoring Boxing Day clash.

Head to Head

The Saddlers and Iron have met on fifty-two previous occasions, and it's the Glanford Park side who hold a minor overall lead having tasted victory seventeen times compared to the Saddlers' seventeen.

There have been seventeen draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 28th November 1936 and saw the Saddlers defeat Scunthorpe by three-goals-to-nil and book a spot in the Second Round of the FA Cup.

In more modern times, after winning just two of the previous ten league meetings, the Saddlers did the double over the Iron last season winning their home meeting in September by one James Clarke-goal-to-nil and taking the points in the Boxing Day clash with Alfie Bates and Wes McDonald getting the game's only goals.

Man in the Middle

The EFL has confirmed that Rutland-based Trevor Kettle will be the man in the middle as Walsall look to bounce back from their Boxing Day defeat to Salford City.

Grant Taylor and Danny Gratton have been named as assistant referees, whilst Simon Shaw will act as Fourth Official.

GAMES
14
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
37
2
PENALTIES
3

Catch the Match

As we're still unable to attend the game in person we can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of each and every Saddlers match.

Not a iFollow Walsall subscriber? A range of options are available, including monthly, annual and gift subscriptions along with a £10 video pass which will enable you to watch the match.

You can purchase a subscription, or find further information on the service by clicking HERE.
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