Walsall will be back in action on Tuesday evening as they welcome Morecambe to the Poundland Bescot Stadium with the Saddlers looking to add three more points to their tally.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they defeated title-chasing Mansfield Town by two goals to one as Jamille Matt and Emmanuel Adegboyega netted the crucial match-winning goals.
With 19 points now separating the Saddlers from the bottom two, there appears to be little doubt that they'll at least be spending another season in the fourth tier, though with just six points between 16th and 7th there is still plenty to play for.
It's clear Head Coach Mat Sadler has been hampered by injuries and his fair share of bad luck, but he has to begin to use some of the other options at his disposal, with the likes of Joe Foulkes and others waiting in the wings, he has choices though seems less-than keen to take them.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Walsall's injury woes continued at the weekend as captain Donervon Daniels, who picked up a knock during the recent draw with Crawley Town, missed the victory over Mansfield, whilst Priestly Farquharson was subbed off at the break 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 Morecambe saw a three-game winning streak end at the weekend as they and AFC Wimbledon played out a one-all draw at Plough Lane.
After a turgid opening, the game sprung into life in a frantic second period which saw Omar Bugiel's opener for the home side cancelled out by Chris Stokes.
The Shrimps haven't lost in any of their last four away league games and will no doubt be looking to continue their fine form at the expense of the Saddlers on Tuesday evening.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Morecambe have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL
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MORECAMBE |
DDLDW
| LWWWD
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have only been six competitive meetings between the Saddlers and Shrimps, and it's Morecambe who hold a comfortable head-to-head lead having won on four occasions compared to the Saddlers' solitary triumph.
The first meeting was a Johnstones Paint Trophy clash which took place at the then-Globe Arena on Tuesday, 1st September 2015, and saw Morecambe win by two-goals-to-nil as Jamie Devitt and Tom Barkhuizen netted in the second forty-five.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Shrimps was a League Two clash at the Mazuma Stadium on Saturday, 5th August 2023 and saw the home side take all three points.
Walsall started the game slowly and allowed Morecambe to take control of far too much of the play and were unsurprisingly punished as Adam Mayor opened his account for the season with around twenty-five minutes on the clock.
The Saddlers didn't allow their heads to bow and, around thirteen minutes later, were back on level terms as Danny Johnson netted his first goal of the season after slotting the ball home after finding himself one-on-one with the 'keeper.
Walsall's hopes of beginning with a win were dealt a blow in second-half stoppage time as Ferrand Rawson finished off a goal-mouth scramble by poking the ball over the line to ultimately secure all three points for the Shrimps.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Carl Brook who is based in East Sussex, will be the man in the middle, whilst Emily Carney and Steven Rushton have been named assistant referees. James Oldham will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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27
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
115
| 2
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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6
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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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