Match Preview: v Grimsby Town (H) Match Preview: v Grimsby Town (H)
Posted by: Bescot Banter

Match Preview: v Grimsby Town (H)

Michael Flynn's Saddlers are back in action on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Grimsby Town to WS1.
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 beginning the campaign with a string of three wins, the Saddlers have now gone four games without a win and arrive at this weekend's match on the back of a Carabao Cup - Round Two defeat to Charlton Athletic.

After having a perfectly good goal disallowed for a non-existent handball, the Saddlers were rightfully fuming after full-time and will no doubt be looking to turn that frustration into action as they welcome the Mariners to WS1.

With goals suddenly becoming a premium, the first goal of the game may well prove crucial so forwards Andy Williams and Danny Johnson must do better at converting their admittedly fleeting goal-scoring opportunities.

Whilst the team has far from embarrassed itself over the last few weeks, there is plenty of room for improvement, with the gap between the Reds and the teams at the top of the table steadily growing as points fail to be secured.

Head Coach Michael Flynn recently commented on his welcome selection headache as many of the players who currently operate on the fringe of the first-team have entered strong performances when called upon.

Hopefully, the team will be able to put the pieces together and get back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon,

Opponents Grimsby arrive at the match on the back of a Carabao Cup - Round Two defeat to Nottingham Forest, and in search of just their second league victory of the new campaign.

Despite their somewhat slow start to the season, the visitors have lost just once on their travels in their last twelve league games, and will provide a tough test as they look to get back to winning ways this weekend.

FORM IN FIVE

Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents have fared in their last five league games.

WALSALL
GRIMSBY TOWN
WWDLD
LDWAD

HEAD-TO-HEAD

There have been sixty-six competitive meetings between Walsall and Grimsby Town and it's the Saddlers who hold an overall head-to-head lead having won thirty-two occasions, with the Mariners securing the win twenty-three times.

There have been eleven draws over the history of the fixture. A history which began at The Chuckery on Saturday, 22nd October 1892 as Walsall Town Swifts and Grimsby Town met in a League Division Two clash, the home side winning 3-1.

The Saddlers have lost just once against the Mariners in the last seven home fixtures between the two sides.

THE LAST TIME WE MET

The most recent meeting was a League Two clash which took place at Blundell Park on Saturday, 27th March 2021 and saw the spoils shared as James Hanson's ninth-minute opener was cancelled out by Caolan Lavery in first-half stoppage time.

MATCH OFFICIALS

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

GAMES
OFFICIATED
6
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
11
0
PENALTIES
AWARDED
0

CATCH THE MATCH

If you're not planning on going to the game you can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of every Saddlers game.

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