The Saddlers will be back in action on Saturday afternoon as they make their way to the Bolt New Lawn in Nailsworth where they'll take on relegation-threatened Forest Green Rovers.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall have been in superb form over the last few weeks. Winning five times in as many games, they sit seventh in the table ahead of kick-off and, with a prevailing wind, could edge even closer to the promotion places by 5.00pm on Saturday evening.
Last weekend's win over Doncaster Rovers gave us another example of how improved the Saddlers have been over the last few months. After being pegged back early in the second half - Josh Gordon's opener being cancelled out by Kyle Hurst - goals from Jack Earing and Mo Faal saw the Reds take three well-deserved points.
Not too many weeks ago we'd have fully expected the Saddlers to capitulate and go on to surrender even a share of the spoils and let yet more points slip through their fingers.
However, after finally finding their feet, the current version of Walsall FC sees a team not only capable of thwarting an opponent's advances but one that can take the game to a team and leave with every available point.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Walsall's injury crisis continues with a plethora of first-teamers currently spending the majority of their time on the treatment table rather than the training pitch.
Mat Sadler remains without the services of Donervon Daniels (ankle), Oisin McEntee (hamstring), Priestley Farquharson (high), Harry Williams (hip), Jamie Jellis (hamstring), Aramide Oteh (hamstring), and Danny Johnson (toe), who are all at varying stages disrepair.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Our hosts have - so far - had a season to forget, winning just six of their thirty-five League Two outings, they sit 23rd in the table ahead of kick-off with five points separating them from 22nd-placed Colchester United.
Recent wins over Barrow and Tranmere Rovers mean Rovers have won two of their last five, however, that statistic stretches much further as they've actually won just two of their last twenty league games, form that unsurprisingly puts them in danger of a return to non-league football.
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.
FGR
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WALSALL |
WLWDL
| WWWWW
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Forest Green have met on ten 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 four 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 took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 25th November 2023 and saw the spoils shared as neither side was able to find the back of the net.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Ahead of the match, the EFL has confirmed that Thomas Kirk who is based in Lancashire, will be the man in the middle, whilst Hugh Gilroy and Darren Wilding have been named assistant referees. Daniel Flynn will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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26
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
108
| 2
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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7
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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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