Match Preview: v Mansfield Town (H) Match Preview: v Mansfield Town (H)

Match Preview: v Mansfield Town (H)

Here we take a look ahead to Tuesday evening's League Two clash between Walsall and Mansfield Town.
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 once again.

News and Views

After missing out on the last two match days and looking to build upon their recent win over Port Vale, which saw the Saddlers secure their first win of 2021 at the fourth time of asking, Darrell Clarke's side welcome Mansfield Town to WS1 on Tuesday.

Goals from the Deadline Day departed Elijah Adebayo - the new Luton Town striker netting his ninth and tenth of the season - coupled with David Fitzpatrick's own goal saw Walsall able to ignore Tom Conlon's long-range free-kick to end another winless run.

With defender Zak Jules joining Adebayo in making a Deadline Day exit from WS1 - Zak linking up with MK Dons - the Saddlers will have to regroup quickly as Lincoln City defender Maz Melbourne and Oxford United striker Derick Osei Yaw look to make their debuts.

Manager Darrell Clarke has sought to sell his latest loanees to the Saddlers faithful but, as always, the proof is in the pudding and we'll only really be able to see how they do when we reach kick-off on Tuesday evening.

There is no doubt that losing a top-scorer would dent any team's attack and now is the time for one of Elijah's former Saddlers colleagues to step forward and make his place their own, as there is still plenty still to play for.

Opponents Mansfield also sat out the last few weeks with thanks to waterlogged pitches and have been in fine form since appointing former Burton Albion boss Nigel Clough and will pose a huge threat to the Saddlers as they look to continue their steady rise up the table.

The Stags have lost just one of their last seven league outings, and are among the form sides in the fourth tier.

Head to Head

The Saddlers and Stags have met on sixty previous occasions and its Walsall who hold an overall head-to-head lead having won twenty-eight times compared to Mansfield's nineteen.

There have also been thirteen draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Fellows Park on Saturday, 11th December 1926 as the two sides faced-off in a FA Cup - Second Round clash which saw the Saddlers score two goals without reply.

Their second meeting, which took place on Saturday, 26th November 1932, was also in the FA Cup and saw the Saddlers earn a place in the Second Preliminary Round thanks to a 4-1 win at Fellows Park.

The most recent meeting between the two took place at the One Call Stadium on Saturday, 31st October 2020 as then-managerless Mansfield and Walsall took a share of the spoils with a one-all draw,

The home side opened the scoring after thirty-three minutes as Nicky Maynard slotted home but his side were ultimately pegged back as Elijah Adebayo levelled four minutes into the second forty-five.

Man in the Middle

The EFL has confirmed that Alan Young, who is based in Cambridgeshire, will be the man in the middle as Walsall look to build upon their most recent outing - a 3-1 victory over Port Vale - which saw new Luton Town striker Elijah Adebayo netting his final goals in a Saddlers shirt.

Kevin Howick and Ollie Williams have been named as assistant referees, whilst Benjamin Speedie will act as Fourth Official.

GAMES
19
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
81
2
PENALTIES
2

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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