The Saddlers will be back in League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they take on Notts County in front of the Sky Sports cameras.MATCH INFORMATION
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Saturday, 20th December 2025
Kick-Off: 12.30pm
Location: Meadow Lane
NEWS & VIEWS
It's first against second this weekend as the table-topping Saddlers make their way to Meadow Lane in Nottingham, where they'll take on fellow League Two title-chasers Notts County.
Despite reaching the match on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town, the Saddlers are without defeat in their last four league games, with their unbeaten run stretching to six games if you take cup outings into account.
Head Coach Mat Sadler has to be commended for not only rebuilding his team, but guiding them back to the top of the table after last season's dismal second-half of the campaign.
With confidence undoubtedly taking a knock, the gaffer deserves plenty of praise for how his team has risen to the occasion.
Though there is plenty of time for things to fall apart, this current Saddlers side looks to have plenty left in the tank and, be it a welcome move towards using the squad's fringe players more often, or a welcome shrinking of the injury list, the fatigue that impacted last season's side seems to be staying away so far.
Obviously, there is plenty of football still to be played but, regardless of this weekend's result, the team have given us very little reason for the mass hysteria that can often be seen on the various forms of social media.
Be it a win, draw or defeat, the team looks seems to be much better at shaking off the last game and focusing upon the here and now, and long may it continue.
TEAM NEWS
In terms of team news, the Saddlers could welcome Jid Okeke and Aaron Pressley back to the fold after they both returned to training over the last week.
There has been a further boost with the news that Mason Hancock has returned to training after missing several months due to a dislocated knee.
It's not all good news, however, as Kemar Roofe has undergone a scan on an injured groin and is ruled out of contention for this weekend's trip to Nottinghamshire.
THE OPPOSITION
Opponents Notts County have won four of their last five league games, and will reach this weekend's match on the back of a 2-0 triumph over Grimsby Town, where second-half goals from Matthew Dennis and Alassana Jatta scored to seal the win.
Looking at their home form, and the Magpies have lost just one of their last nine home league games, giving the Saddlers plenty of work to do if they are to retain their place at the top of the table.
FACTFILE: NOTTS COUNTY
Nickname: The Magpies
Founded: 1862
Ground: Meadow Lane
Head Coach: Martin Paterson
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Of the sixty-eight previous meetings, it's Notts County that hold the narrowest of overall leads with twenty-six wins to the Saddlers' twenty-five. There have also been seventeen draws during the fixture's history.
Their first meeting took place on Saturday, 20th January 1894, and ended 2-0 to the Magpies. The two sides' second meeting, which took place at Fellows Park, on Monday, 12th March 1894 ended 2-1 to the Saddlers, who were then known as Walsall Town Swifts.
Walsall won four, drew one, and lost five of the first ten meetings, the run of games included some large scorelines including 5-0, 5-2, and 6-1 defeats.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Magpies took place at Meadow Lane on Wednesday, 1st January 2025, and saw the Saddlers win 2-1.
Notts County opened the scoring as the ever-threatening Alassana Jatta got on the end of a superb Josh Martin pass to put the ball beyond Tommy Simkin and into the back of the net.
Half-time substitute Jamille Matt put the Saddlers back on level terms after heading home from Evan Weir's ball across the box.
Walsall went into the lead during the final ten minutes of the second-half, as Nathan Lowe continued his superb spell with a goal from an Evan Weir pass.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL confirmed that Steven Copeland who is based on Merseyside will take charge of the match with Anthony Da Costa and Niall Felton being named as assistant referees, whilst Robert Massey-Ellis has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
10
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
37
| 2
|
PENALTIES
|
2
|
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 Saddlers in the UK.