Walsall welcome Cheltenham Town to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon as, with time running out, they look to close the gap on the Play-Off places.NEWS & VIEWS
After last weekend's late defeat to Swindon Town – where the Saddlers saw Jamie Jellis come off the bench to open the scoring before the visitors scored twice to tae all three points – Darren Byfield's side are now very much on the outside, looking in.
Although the result was the first defeat in the six games since Mat Sadler departed, the overall lack of points over the last few months means they'll need several other results to consistently go their way if they're to make it back into the top seven before the end of the season.
TEAM NEWS
Walsall will be without midfielder Alex Pattison, whilst Alfie Chang and Priestley Farquharson will be assessed ahead of kick-off.
THE OPPOSITION
This weekend's opponents will reach this weekend's clash on the back of a one-all draw with Cambridge United, the spoils being shared following a late Jake Eastwood goal.
Sitting 19th in the table and with a ten-point advantage over 23rd-placed Barrow, the Robins are just a few points from ensuring their place in League Two for another season.
FACTFILE: CHELTENHAM TOWN
Nickname: The Robins
Founded: 1887
Ground: Whaddon Road
Manager: Steve Cotterill
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been just thirteen competitive meetings between Walsall and Cheltenham Town, and it's the Robins that hold an overall advantage, having won six times compared to the Saddlers' four (four draws).
The first meeting was an LDV Vans Trophy — Second Round match that took place at Whaddon Road on Tuesday, 2nd November 2004, and saw Walsall advance on penalties following a two-all draw in normal time.
Steve Guinan opened the scores for Cheltenham before Jorge Leitão levelled in the second half. Town re-took the lead via John Brough in extra time, only for Jorge to level once again.
Darren Wrack scored Walsall's fifth penalty after Damien Spencer had seen Cheltenham's saved by Saddlers stopper Joe Murphy.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Robins took place at the EV Charger Points Stadium, Cheltenham, on Saturday, 25th October 2025, and saw Cheltenham Town take all three points.
Walsall dominated much of the attacking play, creating the vast majority of the goal-scoring opportunities, but it was the hosts that took all three points when Aden Flint directed the ball into the back of his own net in second-half stoppage time.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Alan Dale who is based in Suffolk, will take charge of the match with Alan Cresswell and Jacob Lehane being named as assistant referees, whilst Joe Woolmer has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
15
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
49
| 3
|
PENALTIES
|
3
|
CATCH THE MATCH
Walsall's in-house service, Saddlers+, also has Monthly and Annual audio passes available. Visit their website for further information.