Remember 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 make their way to the EviroVent Stadium.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall have been in positive form as of late, with the Saddlers losing just one of their last six league games.
Recent wins over Mansfield Town and Morecambe have seen them move some twenty-two points clear of the relegation zone and just three short of the Play-Off places.
Despite the team remaining sixteenth in the table, despite their recent form, there is no denying things have finally begun to look up.
With the likes of Isaac Hutchinson and Jamille Matt finding a rich vein of form - supported by on-loan Norwich City defender Emmanuel Adegboyega - there is real momentum behind the team and, with a large set of favourable results, the team could finally be set to return to the tp half of the table this weekend.
With injuries continuing to force a large chunk of the first-team onto the sidelines, there may be even more progress over the final months of the season.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
The Saddlers will likely remain without captain Donervon Daniels, who picked up a knock during the recent draw with Crawley Town, whilst Priestly Farquharson is also absent with an as yet unknown injury.
Meanwhile, Oisin McEntee, Harry Williams, Joe Riley, Jamie Jellis, and Danny Johnson keep the medical department busy, with their absences having a massive impact on the gaffer's selection.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Opponents Harrogate Town sit seventh in the table ahead of kick-off, and will arrive at the game on the back of a goalless draw with fellow promotion-chasers Crewe Alexandra.
A recent 9-2 spanking at the hands of Mansfield Town showed real vulnerability in their backline, and, although their draw with the Railwaymen allowed them to get another point on the board, the result has to remain at the forefront of their thinking ahead of Saturday's match.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Harrogate Town have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
HARROGATE
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WALSALL |
WDWLD
| DLDWW
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been only seven competitive meetings between Walsall and Harrogate Town, and it's the Sulphurites that hold a narrow advantage having won on three occasions compared to the Saddlers' single victory.
The other three games ended in draws as there has been little to separate the two teams over the last few campaigns.
The first meeting was played behind closed doors at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, 19th September 2020 - Harrogate were in the middle of replacing their synthetic pitch to bring them in line with EFL regulations.
The match was an eventful, high-scoring affair as, despite taking an early lead, the Saddlers left it late to take a share of the spoils as Josh Gordon levelled nine minutes from full-time.
Walsall had led via Rory Holden's fourth-minute goal but were soon pegged back before falling behind as Aaron Martin and Jack Muldoon scored for the home side ahead of Gordon's leveller.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Sulphurites took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 11th November 2023, and saw the visitors take all three points with a late goal.
Walsall dominated the game, peppering the opposition area with many, many shots but it was Harrogate who would eventually take the lead as George Thomson put them ahead within six-minutes of full-time.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that former MLS referee Alex Chilowicz who relocated to the UK at the end of 2023, will be the man in the middle, whilst Joe Simpson and Adam Nichol have been named assistant referees. Ivan Stankovic will act as the Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED (INCL. MLS)
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35
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
130
| 4
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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9
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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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