Match Preview: v Forest Green Rovers (H) Match Preview: v Forest Green Rovers (H)
Posted by: Bescot Banter

Match Preview: v Forest Green Rovers (H)

Here we take a look ahead to the Saddlers' League Two meeting with Forest Green Rovers.
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 welcome Forest Green Rovers to Poundland Bescot Stadium.

PRE-MATCH VIEWS

Winless in their last four league outings, Mat's Saddlers arrive at this weekend's match in search of three much-needed points.

Recent defeats to Mansfield Town and Harrogate Town have seen the Saddlers drop to sixteenth in the table, with dominance turned into nothing more than frustration as goal-mouth opportunities fall by the wayside.

Though the team has finally begun to take the game to their opponents, goals have become something of a premium with a plethora of chances often not resulting in a potentially match-winning goal.

Be it a lack of form, an absence of luck, or a frustratingly in-form opposition goalkeeper, the Saddlers have simply got to begin to put the ball into the back of the net, especially when taking on a relegation rival.

After enjoying a rare international break, the Reds should be refreshed and ready to go into battle with a team that is going through a dismal spell of its own.

Despite winning two of their last five in the league, Forest Green currently reside in the relegation zone having failed to rebound from last season's disappointing relegation from the league above.

WALSALL TEAM NEWS

Walsall could welcome back captain Donervon Daniels, Liam Gordon, and Brandon Comley after the trio returned from international duty.

David Okagbue, Priestley Farquharson, Jack Earing, Ross Tierney, Aramide Oteh, and Jamille Matt remain sidelined, with Freddie Draper likely to miss out with a combination of fatigue and injury.

FORM IN FIVE

Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Forest Green Rovers have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.

WALSALL
FGR
WDDLL
WLWLD

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Walsall and Forest Green have met on just nine previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold a small head-to-head lead, having won four times, compared to Rovers' two.

There have also been three draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Banks's Stadium on Saturday, 10th August 2019, and saw James Hardy level the scores following Joseph Mills' late first-half penalty.

THE LAST TIME WE MET

The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Rovers was an EFL Trophy clash that took place at Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 10th October 2023, and saw the game end all-square before the visitors won the post-game shoot-out.

The first goal of the game didn't arrive until around six minutes into the second half as Tyrese Omotoye put the ball beyond Jackson Smith and into the back of the net following Teddy Jenks' low cross into the box.

The Saddlers were ultimately able to level the scores later in the half as Isaac Hutchinson capped off a neat attacking move, involving Tom Knowles and Danny Johnson, with a powerful shot on goal.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The EFL has confirmed that Peter Wright who is based on Merseyside, will be the man in the middle, whilst Karl Buckley and Alan Cresswell have been named assistant referees. Andrew Humphries will act as Fourth Official.

GAMES
OFFICIATED
14
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
50
2
PENALTIES
AWARDED
5

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.
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