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 on Saturday afternoon.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
It's fair to say, the Saddlers have had a somewhat disappointing few weeks, whilst the overall performances haven't been too bad (except for the recent draw with Northampton which were happy to consign to the deepest depths of our collective memory), points have been dropped.
With the lack of a Danny Johnson-shaped goal-scorer and, possibly importantly. Liam Kinsella's undeniable work ethic, the team has struggled to impose themselves on a wide range of opponents.
Obviously, there isn't any real need for panic at the moment, with new faces yet to fully settle in and a couple of injury-hit players working on a return to action, there is still room for optimism, though the team can ill-afford a string of winless-games, especially when already sitting in the bottom half of the table.
With that being said, there are plenty of winnable games on the horizon and a return to the form which saw the Reds sit just outside the Play-Off places just a few short weeks ago could easily see the team back in contention when we reach the business end of the campaign.
League leaders Leyton Orient arrive at the match on the back of a midweek win over Crewe Alexandra, and a result which saw them make it two wins in as many games after experiencing a mini-blip as they went three league games without a win.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Walsall continue to be without the likes of Joss Labadie, Joe Riley, Jack Earing, and Liam Kinsella with the group continuing through their various rehabilitation programmes, though Riley has been getting closer to action after missing the whole of the season so far.
Conor Wilkinson's return to first-team action has added some welcome competition to a well-populated attacking line, with the gaffer having something of a selection headache heading toward kick-off.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and this weekend's opponents Leyton Orient have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
|
LEYTON ORIENT |
LWDLD
| DLLWW
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Leyton Orient have met on seventy-eight previous occasions and its Orient who hold a comfortable win/loss advantage having won on thirty-three occasions compared to the Saddlers' twenty-four.
There have also been twenty-one draws during the history of the fixture, a history which began at Whittle's Athletic Ground on Saturday, 12th October 1929 as Clapton Orient and the Saddlers met in a Division Three (South) clash which ended all-square with one goal apiece.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The Saddlers and Leyton Orient's most recent meeting was a League Two clash which took place at the O's Brisbane Road ground on Saturday, 17th September 2022, and saw Omar Beckles' second-half strike prove to be enough to separate the sides.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Anthony Backhouse, who is based in Cumbria, will be the man in the middle, whilst Ravel Cheosiaua and Ollie Williams have been named assistant referees. Christopher Husband will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
|
24
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
74
| 1
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
|
2
|
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.
Not an iFollow Walsall subscriber? There are a range of options available, including monthly, annual, and gift subscriptions. For further information on the service, or to set up your subscription, click HERE.