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 and U's face off at Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
After enjoying their first game-free midweek of the season, the Saddlers are back in action this weekend as they welcome fellow slow-starters Colchester United to the Black Country on Saturday afternoon.
Looking to build upon last weekend's one-all draw with Grimsby Town, Walsall will be hoping to sow increased resolve at the back whilst also making more of their opportunities in the final third.
Despite winning just one of their opening five league games, Mat Sadler's men have been able to create plenty of promising attacks but have disappointingly failed to capitalise upon their chances with a fair few points being allowed to fall by the wayside.
Though we remain with plenty of the season yet to be played, it is somewhat concerning to see the team sitting towards the bottom of the table, especially as the squad is in far better shape when compared to the same time last season.
Hopefully, as the injury list begins to ease, Sadler will be able to field a settled side that can finally begin to show what it's capable of over the rest of the campaign. Though, if recent performances and, more importantly, results, do continue, we'll surely be back on the hunt for a new guiding light...
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Defender Chris Hussey will not feature against Colchester as he is suspended after picking up two bookings during last weekend's draw with Grimsby Town.
Priestley Farquharson continues to edge closer to making his Walsall debut as he took part in training in midweek - the former Newport County man is yet to feature after suffering an injury setback during the pre-season Open Training Session.
Meanwhile, Rollin Menayese, Jack Earing, and Brandon Comley remain some way from a return to the fold as they continue to work their way back to full fitness after suffering a variety of injuries and issues.
OPPOSITION NEWS
After opening their 2023/24 League Two campaign with a trio of defeats, Colchester secured their first points of the season last weekend after registering a three-nil victory over a previously undefeated Gillingham.
Second-half goals from Fiacre Kelleher, Samson Tovide, and Bradley Ihionvien saw United upset the odds and propel them out of the relegation zone ahead of their trip to WS1.
The only negative to arise from the triumph over the Gills was the news that on-loan Southampton defender Nico Lawrence is likely to be out for several months with ankle ligament damage that saw him forced off at half-time.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Colchester United have fared in their last five, or in Colchester's case four, Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
|
COLCHESTER UNITED (4) |
LWLDD
| LLLW
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been seventy-four competitive meetings between Walsall and U's, and it's the Saddlers who hold a very small head-to-head advantage, having won on twenty-six occasions, compared to Colchester's twenty-five.
There have also been twenty-three draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Layer Road on Saturday, 18th November 1950 as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which took place in front of 9,584 and saw Harry Hibbs' Saddlers win by one-goal-to-nil as Phil Chapman netted the only goal of the game twelve minutes into the second-half.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Us was a League Two clash that took place at the JobServe Community Stadium on Tuesday, 14th February, and saw the spoils shared as the two sides played out a goalless draw.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Lee Swabey, who is based in Devon, will be the man in the middle, whilst Daniel Flynn and Ryan Williams have been named assistant referees. Thomas Harty will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
|
5
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
25
| 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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