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

Match Preview: v Swindon Town (H)

Here we take a look ahead to the Saddlers' Emirates FA Cup - Second Round clash with Swindon Town.
Don't forget to join us across our social media channels where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers return to action.

Pre-Match News & Views

After losing their last two outings, Walsall now look forward to this weekend's Emirates FA Cup - Second Round clash with Swindon Town, which represents an opportunity to secure a money-spinning meeting with a club from the top tier.

Defeats to Carlisle United in the league and Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy have seen the Saddlers flatter to deceive as, despite controlling portions of both games, they ultimately fell to disappointing defeats.

The midweek Trophy defeat to Cambridge saw the Saddlers start the game on the front-foot before gifting the hosts an opening goal in the form of a penalty, before going on to concede a second goal in the second-half.

Possibly the most disappointing thing to arise from the cup calamity was the lack of cutting edge in the final third. The truth is, Matt Taylor's team should have had a place in the Third Round confirmed well before half-time.

Instead, the Reds were dumped out of the cup after failing to dirty the sheet of inspired stopper, Kai McKenzie-Lyle. Who more than deserved the plaudits that went in his direction shortly after full-time.

Opponents Swindon Town also saw their EFL Trophy campaign curtailed in midweek as Colchester United went through after scoring two goals compared to the Robins' one.

Sitting in the League Two Play-Off places ahead of kick-off, the visitors, who have avoided defeat in all their last four league games, will be hoping to bring some of that form to the Banks's this weekend.

Head to Head

There have been a total of ninety-nine competitive meetings between Walsall and Swindon Town. And it's the Robins who hold a small overall lead, having won on thirty-six times compared to the Saddlers' thirty-four.

There have also been twenty-nine draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at the County Ground on Saturday, 15th October 1927 as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which the Robins won by five-goals-to-nil.

The Saddlers would go on to lose the next two meetings, conceding another seven goals in the process, as their opponents enjoyed a strong start to the rivalry.

In fact, Walsall wouldn't secure their first victory over Swindon until their fifth meeting, which took place at Fellows Park on Monday, 23rd September 1929, and saw the Saddlers triumph four-nil.

Man in the Middle

The EFL has confirmed that Peter Wright, who is based on Merseyside, will be the man in the middle, whilst Alan Clayton and Danny Gratton have been named assistant referees. Darren Wilding will act as Fourth Official.

GAMES
18
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
54
1
PENALTIES
4

Catch the Match

You 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.

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