Walsall return to Sky Bet League Two action on Wednesday evening as they take on Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.MATCH INFORMATION
The match will take place at the Latics' Boundary Park stadium on Wednesday, 10th December, with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm.
NEWS, VIEWS, & TEAM NEWS
After making progress in two cup competitions, the Saddlers' attention returns to the league in midweek as they take on Oldham Athletic in Greater Manchester.
Losing just one of their last eight games in all competitions, confidence is high in the camp, and after booking their place in the Third Round of the FA Cup with a win over Gateshead on Sunday, have plenty to build upon.
On-loan Charlton Athletic striker Daniel Kanu is the man in form. Scoring five goals across his last six appearances, the 21-year-old continues to demonstrate the level of talent sitting in reserve sides across the EFL, just waiting for a chance to impress.
In terms of team news, Head Coach Mat Sadler will likely make the odd tactical switch, as he looks to avoid a repeat of last season's second-half collapse and keep his squad fresh with so many games still to come.
THE OPPOSITION
Winning just one of their last five games in all competitions, Micky Mellon's Latics will reach the match on the back of a 3-1 FA Cup, Second Round defeat to MK Dons.
Looking to get their campaign back on track, the manager is also likely to refresh his team as he hopes to increase the game between his side and the relegation places.
FACTFILE: OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Nickname: The Latics
Founded: 1895
Ground: Boundary Park
Manager: Micky Mellon
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Oldham Athletic have met on sixty-four previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold the Head-to-Head advantage, having won on twenty-six occasions, compared to the Latics' twenty-three.
There have also been fifteen draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Fellows Park on Friday, 10th April 1936, as the two sides met in a Division Three (North) clash which Oldham won by two-goals-to-one.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and the Latics took place at Banks's Stadium on Tuesday, 15th March 2022, and saw Walsall win 2-1.
The Saddlers weren't done there, either, as Conor Wilkinson went on to net his ninth goal of the season — fourth in as many home games — to put his side into the lead. This potentially moved them some fifteen points clear of the drop.
Despite enjoying much of the early possession and the lion share of the attacking play, the Saddlers fell behind halfway through the first-half. Will Sutton took advantage of some poor defending to net his first goal of the season on what was his first appearance.
Walsall stood their ground, and after a few failed attempts, were able to get themselves back on level terms as Emmanuel Osadebe netted his fourth goal of the season.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Stephen Parkinson will take charge of the match with Daniel Woodward and Graeme Fyvie being named as assistant referees, whilst Richard Wigglesworth has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
16
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
62
| 2
|
PENALTIES
|
3
|