Attention turns to cup action on Tuesday evening when the Saddlers make their way to Hertfordshire and take on Stevenage in the EFL Trophy, Round of 32.MATCH INFORMATION
The match takes place at the Boro's Lamex Stadium on Tuesday evening, with kick-off scheduled for 7.00pm. Team News will be confirmed at 5.45pm, and we'll have it across our social media channels and on BescotBanter.net.
NEWS & VIEWS
Walsall made it back-to-back wins on Saturday afternoon as goals from Daniel Kanu, Ryan Finnigan, and Courtney Clarke saw they mount a second-half comeback to defeat promotion rivals Bromley.
Playing in front of a bumper crowd, the Saddlers fell behind to a Ben Krauhaus effort in the first-half, but, after Head Coach Mat Sadler made a trio of half-time changes, the team roared back to take all three points.
Looking at the Vertu Trophy, and the Saddlers secured a win, draw, and loss on the way to progression to the Round of 32, and will hope that their recent win will serve as momentum as they take on the Boro.
TEAM NEWS
Mat Sadler is likely to ring the changes on Tuesday evening, with academy prospects set to make a return to the matchday squad, with the gaffer keen to hand opportunities to players currently on the outside looking in.
Jamie Jellis is likely to miss out with an abdominal injury, whilst Mason Hancock, Harry Williams, and Elicha Ahui remain sidelined through various long-term issues.
THE OPPOSITION
Despite sitting in second place in League One, Stevenage have been in poor form as of late. Winning just one of their last six league games, they will reach Tuesday's match on the back of a goalless draw with Wigan Athletic.
Looking at the Vertu Trophy, and the Boro were in superb form through the group stage. Failing to drop a single point, they secured wins over AFC Wimbledon, Bromley, and Crystal Palace U21s to top their group.
FACTFILE: STEVENAGE
Nickname: The Boro
Founded: 1976
Ground: Broadhall Way
Manager: Alex Revell
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been just thirteen competitive meetings between the Saddlers and Boro, and it's Stevenage who hold a slender Head-to-Head advantage, having won four times compared to the Saddlers' three.
There have also been six draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday, 26th November 2011 as the two sides met in a League One clash in which ended all-square at nil-nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the Lamex Stadium on Saturday, 11th March 2023 and saw Stevenage win by three-goals-to-one.
The match began in frantic fashion with both sides looking to take an early lead, however, it was the home side who would ultimately secure the advantage as Josh March got on the end of a Max Clark pass to slot the ball home.
Stevenage went on to double their lead seven minutes after scoring their first, as Luke Norris completed a neat passing attack by putting the ball beyond Owen Evans and into the back of the Walsall net.
The Saddlers got themselves back into the game later in the half as Manny Monthé made the most of Dan Sweeney's missed header as he powered the ball home from close range.
Stevenage soon re-established their two-goal advantage with nine minutes of the first-half remaining, as Josh Marsh smashed the ball home with an overhead kick.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that New Jersey-born Alex Chilowicz will take charge of the match with Alex Bradley and Alex Mathieson being named as assistant referees, whilst Stephen Finch has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
14
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
50
| 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.
Tuesday's match will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ for Saddlers fans in the UK.