Walsall's penultimate game of 2025 sees them welcome Crewe Alexandra to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium, with the Saddlers seeking to retain their place at the top of the table.NEWS & VIEWS
After drawing their last two games, the Saddlers have gone five games without defeat and will give themselves the best opportunity to remain at the top of the table in the New Year if they can return to winning ways on Boxing Day.
Adding to success in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy, the team continues to defy the odds and make the most of their meagre time on the ball, with last weekend's stalemate against Notts County seeing the Saddlers secure just under 24% of possession.
Of course, we'd all have liked them to have secured all three points, but a draw on the road is nothing to be disappointed by, especially given the recent spell of illness that has been doing the rounds at Essington.
With each day drawing us closer to the likely recall of star striker Daniel Kanu to his parent club Charlton Athletic, we're keen to see if the club's hard work behind the scenes will pay off once again.
Adding to the impact of Nathan Lowe before him, Kanu is yet another example of just the level of talent waiting to show that they can do, given the opportunity. This, will hopefully attract another player to back himself and take a step down a level or two and show what they're capable of.
TEAM NEWS
On the injury front, Kemar Roofe has joined Harrison Burke and Harry Williams on the long-term injury list, as he is expected to miss around two months with a groin injury, calling into question is future at the club.
THE OPPOSITION
Winning just one of their last six League Two games, Lee Bell's Railwaymen will reach their Boxing Day trip to the Black Country on the back of a one-all draw with Bristol Rovers which saw Emre Tezgel grab his thirteenth goal of the season.
On-loan from Stoke City, Tezgel is Crewe's biggest threat and will no doubt be focussed upon by Aden Flint and his colleagues as they hope to make it five games undefeated against the Alex.
FACTFILE: CREWE ALEXANDRA
Nicknames: The Railwaymen, The Alex
Founded: 1877
Ground: Gresty Road
Manager: Lee Bell
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been eighty competitive meetings between Walsall and Crewe Alexandra, and the Saddlers hold an overall head-to-head advantage, having won thirty-three times, compared to Crewe's twenty-five. The spoils have been shared twenty-two times.
Their first meeting was a League Division Two match that took place at the Alexandra Recreation Ground on Saturday, 5th November 1892, and saw the sides engage in a goal-fest which Walsall Town Swifts won 6-5.
Walsall would remain undefeated for the next six meetings between the two, with Crewe's first win not arriving until Saturday, 22nd April 1922, as they won two-nil at the original Gresty Road.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Railwaymen took place at the Mornflake Stadium on Saturday, 3rd May 2025 and saw Walsall secure a narrow 1-0 win.
The Saddlers opened the scoring just ahead of the hour mark when Harry Williams' long throw was flicked into the path of George Hall, who was able to turn his man and smash the ball into the back of the net.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Simon Mather who is based in Lancashire will take charge of the match with Declan O'Shea and Jacob Lehane being named as assistant referees, whilst Jonathan Bolland has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
17
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
57
| 0
|
PENALTIES
|
5
|