Walsall's 2025/26 Sky Bet League Two campaign come to an end this weekend as they take on second-placed Bromley at the Copperjax Community Stadium.NEWS & VIEWS
Walsall's 2025/26 season will reach its conclusion this weekend, and after flitting with a repeat of last season's ultimately unsuccessful push for promotion, have settled back into the more familiar mid-table mediocrity.
With much of the current crop due to be out of contract in the summer and a new head coach yet to be appointed, we're in for another summer of change in WS1 – and it can't come soon enough.
Limping over the line, many of the remaining squad have now seen back-to-back promotion chances end in disappointment, and it's probably a good time to refresh things ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Of course, the biggest bit of business will likely come in the form of a new head coach. This is a crucial appointment, and, with a couple of months of searching already under their belts, we hope the board of directors are finalising their shortlist ahead of an arrival over the next few weeks.
Whatever happens both this weekend and over the coming weeks, it's clear things have to change; we can't continue to allow opportunities like the last two seasons to go to waste. Already facing an eighth season in the fourth tier, the board has to show that they understand the issues and that they're willing to act when push comes to shove.
Back to this weekend's match, and the Saddlers could do the double over their opponents, although that would hand the title to MK Dons...
TEAM NEWS
Kacper Lopata is back in contention after being passed fit; Jamille Matt (knee) will be assessed closer to kick-off. Alfie Chang (knee) is out. Meanwhile, defender Elicha Ahui is back in training after missing almost a year to an ACL injury.
THE OPPOSITION
After sitting at the top of the table for almost half of the season, opponents Bromley have seen their form dip over the last few weeks – the Ravens winning just one of their last six games, leaving them one point below league leaders MK Dons ahead of this weekend's game.
FACTFILE: BROMLEY
Nickname: The Ravens
Founded: 1892
Ground: Hayes Lane
Manager: Andy Woodman
FORM GUIDE
WALSALL
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BROMLEY
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DLLWL
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been just three competitive meetings between the Saddlers and Ravens, and, aside from a couple of draws, it's Walsall that are the only side to register a victory.
The first meeting, a Sky Bet League Two clash, took place in front of 4,424 fans at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 26th November 2024.
The opening goal of the game arrived with around five minutes of the first half remaining and went the way of the Saddlers when Liam Gordon showed some neat close control as he ran the length of the Bromley half to slot the ball into the back of the net.
Bromley levelled the scores with an hour on the clock as Michael Cheek, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, capped off an attacking move by putting the ball beyond Tommy Simkin and into the back of the net.
The visitors went into the lead with thirteen minutes of normal time remaining, as on-loan Crystal Palace man Danny Imray opened his account for the campaign with a shot from a very tight angle.
Walsall restored parity late in second-half stoppage time as, despite the officials giving the goal to David Okagbue, we think Jamie Jellis got the last touch at the end of a goal-mouth scramble to see the ball go over the line.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Ravens took place at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 29th November 2025, and saw Walsall win 3-1.
The Saddlers' home struggles looked to be continuing when the opening goal of the game went the way of the visitors when Ben Krauhaus put the ball beyond a stranded Myles Roberts with eighteen minutes on the clock.
The Saddlers levelled the scores in the second half when on-loan Charlton Athletic striker Daniel Kanu registered his eighth goal of the season following an Evan Weir free-kick, assisted by Aden Flint.
Walsall went into the lead with ten minutes of normal time remaining when on-loan Blackpool midfielder Ryan Finnigan grabbed his fourth goal of the season when Priestley Farquharson guided a Weir corner towards Finnigan, who happily headed the ball home.
The Saddlers capped off their win with a goal deep into second-half stoppage time, as Courtney Clarke came off the bench to net in the tenth minute of added-on time.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Scott Jackson, who is based on Merseyside, will take charge of the match with Daniel Smith and Greg Read being named as assistant referees, whilst Lewis Sandoe has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES
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26
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YELLOW
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RED
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95
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PENALTIES
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6
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CATCH THE MATCH
Walsall's in-house service, Saddlers+, offers Monthly and Annual audio passes available. Visit their website for further information.