Walsall will be hoping to return to winning ways this weekend as they welcome arnet to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.EVERY MINUTE MATTERS
This weekend's match will join all others across the EFL in kicking off one minute later than scheduled, as a stark reminder that every minute matters when it comes to performing life-saving CPR.
The kick-off times are designed to raise awareness of Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation’s transformative Every Minute Matters campaign, which, with the support of the EFL, has already inspired over 400,000 people to start learning CPR since the campaign launched in May 2024.
February is Heart Month, and Sky Bet, the BHF and the EFL are on a mission to mobilise football fans across the nation, as the campaign aims to get half a million people to save hearts all over the UK by starting to learn CPR by the end of the month.
Throughout February, Sky Bet and BHF’s Every Minute Matters campaign will be calling on fans to step up and learn CPR using the BHF’s free, simple and easy-to-use online tool, RevivR. Fans can search ‘BHF RevivR’ or visit revivr.bhf.org.uk/efl.
NEWS & VIEWS
Winless in their last four league games, the Saddlers are in dire need of a return to winning ways, as they continue to slip away from the race for promotion.
Reaching this weekend's outing on the back of a dismal defeat to Bristol Rovers, the team has struggled to adapt to teams that have been set up to counter their style of play.
While Head Coach Mat Sadler continues to show a brave face to the media, there's no doubt he is in trouble. A few more defeats, and the board will have no choice than to part ways with the former defender.
We're not quite at the 'Sadler Out' stage, but there is no denying he is his own worst enemy. A refusal to accept the reality of the current run does little to instill confidence in the masses, especially when so many still back the team despite such a turgid run of results.
A win against the Bees won't do a lot to ease the pressure, but it'd go a long way in giving us all a glimmer of hope that the team is capable of getting back in the race for promotion and won't coast through the remainder of the season.
TEAM NEWS
Walsall captain Jamille Matt faces a late fitness test, while Aaron Pressley continues to work through a broken hand.
Kacper Łopata (thigh) and Jake Hollman (hamstring) are both out, as are Harry Williams and Elicha Ahui (both ACL).
THE OPPOSITION
Opponents Barnet have drawn their last two games and will be keen to add to the Saddlers' woes as they visit the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium for the first time since suffering a 4-1 drubbing in February 2007.
Sitting 11th in the table, the Bees could close to within three points of 7th with a win this weekend, and, given Walsall's recent form, will fancy their chances.
FACTFILE: BARNET
Nickname: The Bees
Founded: 1888
Ground: The Hive Stadium
Head Coach: Dean Brennan
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been just eleven competitive meetings between the Saddlers and Bees, and it's Walsall that hold a commanding head-to-head advantage.Winning nine and losing just once, the Saddlers will be hoping to extend an eight-game unbeaten run against their opponents when they visit WS1 this weekend.
The first meeting took place in front of 4,981 fans at the Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 5th October 1991, and saw the Saddlers win by two-goals-to-nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Bees took place at the Hive on Saturday, 16th August 2025, and saw Walsall win 2-1.
Walsall went into an early lead when Connor Barrett scored his second goal of the season with just two minutes on the clock, after some superb pressure play down the wing.
The Saddlers doubled their lead midway through the first-half when summer signing Aaron Pressley grabbed his first goal for the club.
The Bees cut Walsall's lead in half five minutes before the break when Ollie Hawkins scored with a header from a well-placed corner.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Paul Marsden who is based in Lancashire, will take charge of the match with Jacob Lehane and Danny Jarvis being named as assistant referees, whilst Harley Hetherington has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
10
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
31
| 3
|
PENALTIES
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5
|
CATCH THE MATCH
Unable to make it to WS1? You can catch the match via the club's in-house service, Saddlers+, with audio match passes and annual subscriptions available. Click here for further information.