Walsall will be back in action on Bank Holiday Monday as they take on AFC Wimbledon in the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium.MATCH INFORMATION
The 2024/25 Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Monday, 26th May and is set to kick-off a 3.01pm.
NEWS & VIEWS
Well, it all comes down to this. After a season of welcome highs, and all-too-familiar lows, including a long stay at the top of the table and a seemingly longer spell of poor form, the Saddlers' 2024/25 campaign rests on one more game.
None of what's gone before matters, it's very simple, WIN. WIN and the season, though frustrating, will be deemed as a success. WIN, and the players will become immortal in the eyes of the faithful.
The recent return to winning ways gave us a brief look back at some of the performances that saw the team win nine on the bounce earlier in the campaign. Determined in defence and cutting in attack, the team looked to have re-found their feet and will hopefully take that same form into their trip to the national stadium.
PRE-MATCH: MAT SADLER LOOKS AHEAD TO DONS CLASH
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Both Oisin McEntee and Jack Earing are in a race against time to be fit for selection after respective spells on the sidelines.
THE OPPOSITION
Opponents AFC Wimbledon have also been in strong form as of late. After overcoming Notts County in their Play-Off Semi-Final, the original Dons will be in fine fettle as they make the sort journey to Wembley.
Backed by around 30,000 fans, along with a fair amount of waifs and strays, the Plough Lane side will be tough to overcome.
With former Saddler Matty Stevens leading the line, they'll be looking to avoid defeat to the Saddlers for a third time this season, having won and drawn the two previous meetings.
FACTFILE: AFC WIMBLEDON
NICKNAME: The Dons
FOUNDED: 2002
MANAGER: Johnnie Jackson
STADIUM: Plough Lane
FORM GUIDE
After going thirteen games without victory, Walsall have won three games on the bounce and will be looking to make it four in four as they take on the Dons.
AFC Wimbledon have also enjoyed a winning run as of late, with the Plough Lane side also looking to make it four wins in as many games on Monday afternoon.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Saddlers and Dons have met on just twelve previous occasions, and it's Wimbledon that hold a small head-to-head advantage, winning six times compared to Walsall's five. (1 draw)
The first meeting took place at Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 6th August 2016, and saw Walsall win by three goals to one as Erhun Öztümer and Simeon Jackson, who netted a brace, got their names on the scoresheet.
Wimbledon's goal came via the penalty spot, as Lyle Taylor slipped the ball past Neil Etheridge from the spot in the last minute of normal time.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Dons took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 29th March 2025, and resuled in the first draw between the two sides.
The match was a slow, tentative affair, with the first goal not arriving until the midway point of the second held when substitute Omar Bugiel, who had replaced former Saddler Matty Stevens, put the ball into the back of Sam Hornby's net.
Walsall levelled the scores with just three minutes of normal time remaining as Taylor Allen, who had moved into midfield following some substitutions, scored his eighth goal of the campaign.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Will Finnie who is based in Bedfordshire will take charge of the match with Alistair Nelson and Conor Brown being named as assistant referees, whilst Thomas Kirk has been selected as Fourth Official.
We can also confirm that Matthew Sowerby will act as reserve official, whilst James Bell will be in charge of VAR, with Marc Perry acting as their assistant.
This will be the Saddlers' first taste of VAR and, hopefully, will not result in any of the controversy often seen in other leagues that regularly use the technology.
CATCH THE MATCH
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football in the UK and on Saddlers+ across a variety of regions across the globe.
Audio coverage will also be available on BBC Radio WM and Saddlers+.
SPARE SECTION
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