Walsall will be back in action on Thursday afternoon as they take on Cambridge United, with the Saddlers looking to open the New Year with a win.NEWS & VIEWS
Mat Sadler's side ended 2025 with a disappointing defeat to Oldham Athletic, when the Latics scored deep into second-half stoppage time to take all three points, a result that saw the Saddlers slip to third in the table.
Despite Daniel Kanu grabbing his twelfth all-competition goal of the season, the Saddlers, who had fallen behind to Joe Garner's first-half goal, simply couldn't halt their opponents' late momentum and saw Kian Harratt grab a late winner.
Going into the game on the back of a six-game unbeaten run, it's important to keep a level head and go into New Year's Day with the belief that the team can quickly get back on their feet and avoid a return to the form that saw them drift from the promotion places to the ultimately disappointing Play-Offs.
It's becoming increasingly likely that Daniel Kanu will be recalled by parent club Charlton Athletic, so the powers that be must act quickly and decisively and get back into the market for another striker.
Although they offer something in attack, Jamille Matt, Aaron Pressley, and Albert Adomah have only produced nine goals between them in all-competitions and are simply not enough if the club wants to challenge for promotion.
Obviously, January is the worst time to be in the market for a player, as many are often happy to wait until the summer to consider their options, but there's no denying Walsall represents an attractive option for a young striker.
Following on from the likes of Nathan Lowe and Daniel Kanu, a currently underused prospect could announce their arrival on the main stage with a promotion-securing spell i WS1! Well, that's the dream, anyway,
TEAM NEWS
Priestley Farquharson was forced off during the defeat to Oldham Athletic with an eye issue, but could feature in the team once again.
Meanwhile, Kemar Roofe, Harrison Burke and Harry Williams remain on the long-term injury list.
THE OPPOSITION
Sitting outside the Play-Off places on goal difference, the U's will reach the match on the back of a narrow 1-0 win over Chesterfield, as Shane McLoughlin's goal saw them make it nine league games without defeat.
FACTFILE: CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Nickname: The U's
Founded: 1912
Ground: Cledara Abbey Stadium
Head Coach: Neil Harris
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Cambridge United have met on just sixteen previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold an overall head-to-head lead, having won eight times compared to the U's six.
There have also been just two draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Fellows Park on Boxing Day, Wednesday, 26th December 1973, as the two sides faced off in a Division Three clash which saw the Saddlers score three goals without reply.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the two sides took place at the Abbey Stadium on Tuesday, 30th November 2021, as they faced off in an EFL Trophy, Second Round clash.
Despite dominating the opening fifteen minutes of the game, where they created a hatful of goal-scoring opportunities, the Saddlers ultimately fell behind as Sam Smith converted from the spot following a rather rash challenge in the area.
The Saddlers were gifted an opportunity to level the scores with around ten minutes of the first-half remaining but couldn't take advantage as Kieran Phillips' spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper McKenzie-Lyle.
Sadly for Walsall, they were unable to secure a spot in the Third Round as the hosts went on to double their lead with ten minutes of normal time remaining as second-half substitute Shilow Tracey took advantage of some sloppy defending to put his side through.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL confirmed that Wayne Cartmel who is based in Bedfordshire will take charge of the match with Michael Webb and Stephen Finch being named as assistant referees, whilst Jack Forder-Hay has been selected as Fourth Official.
CATCH THE MATCH
Walsall's in-house service Saddlers+ will be covering the game live. Visit their website for further information, and how to secure an Audio Match Pass.
The match will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ for fans in the UK.