Walsall are back in Emirates FA Cup action on Saturday afternoon as they welcome League One side Charlton Athletic to the Poundland Bescot Stadium for their Second Round clash.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
After David Okagbue grabbed a late leveller against Bromley in midweek, the Saddlers turn their attention to the world's oldest domestic cup competition and a meeting with the Addicks.
Knocking Charlton's third tier colleagues Bolton Wanderers out of the competition in the First Round, the Saddlers are more than capable of producing an upset once again.
Looking back at the midweek stalemate with Bromley, the Saddlers were their own worst enemy for much of the match as they failed to take advantage of their time in the final third whilst struggling to thwart the Ravens' advances.
Striker Michael Cheek was a particular highlight, the striker grabbed his ninth goal of the season and entered a display which could well spark the attention of a few managers looking to add goals to their team during the upcoming Transfer Window.
After already enjoying plenty of success against third tier teams so far this season, the Saddlers should go into the game with plenty of belief and, with a packed Bescot Stadium behind them, will be more than capable of advancing to the Third Round.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Priestley Farquharson (thigh), Dylan Thomas (dislocated shoulder), and Josh Gordon (hamstring) remain on the sidelines as they continue to work their way back to fitness.
Midfielders Jamie Jellis and Charlie Lakin could come back into the starting XI after being named on the bench for the midweek draw with Bromley.
Defender Harry Williams should be in contention for a return after suffering a concussion a few weeks ago.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Opponents Charlton Athletic needed extra time to knock Vanarama National League outfit Southend United out of the FA Cup.
Miles Leaburn and Zach Mitchell had put the Addicks in control during the first forty-five, but the Shrimpers fought back through a Jack Bridge penalty and Oliver Coker’s 52nd-minute strike.
Matty Godden netted to put Charlton ahead midway through the second-half only for a Joshua Edwards own goal to send the game into stoppage time.
Athletic ultimately sealed their place alongside the Saddlers as Gassan Ahadme bagged the winning goal deep into the extra period.
The Addicks sit twelfth in League One with their most recent outing coming in midweek as they narrowly scraped past Burton Albion by a goal-to-nil as Conor Coventry opened his account for the season to seal his side's first win in six league games.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been thirty-seven competitive meetings between Walsall and Charlton Athletic, and the Addicks hold a comfortable Head-to-Head advantage. They have won on nineteen occasions compared to the Saddlers' ten.
There have also been eight draws over the fixture's history, which began at Fellows Park on Tuesday, 27th December 1927, when the two sides met in a Division Three (South) match that Walsall won by a goal to nil.
Walsall haven't won any of their last nine all-competition clashes with the Addicks and will need a huge reversal of fortunes if they are to take their place in the Thord Round.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Addicks was an EFL Cup - Second Round clash that took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 23rd August 2022 and saw the visitors secure a narrow 1-0 win.
Despite enjoying a strong first-half, the Saddlers ultimately fell behind with fifty-seven minutes on the clock as Diallang Jaiyesimi slammed the ball into the bottom corner putting his side on course for a place in the Third Round.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The Football Association has confirmed that Ollie Yates, who is based in Staffordshire, will take charge of the match. Grant Taylor and Ryan Williams have been named as assistant referees, and Niall Smith has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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11
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
61
| 1
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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1
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