Walsall's 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two campaign gets underway this weekend as they make their way to Priestfield Stadium where they'll face Gillingham.NEWS & VIEWS
It's been another summer of change at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium. Following the departure of Mat Sadler during the latter stages of last season, the club has seen interim boss Darren Byfield replaced by Lee Grant as a whole host of players left for new pastures.
Arriving in their place have been twelve new recruits. A mix of both youth and experience, the squad has plenty of experience whilst also providing us with that sense of the unknown, with plenty of as-yet untapped talent.
We're happy with the transfer business the club has been able to do, and believe that there is a strong core of players more than capable of making an impact across the campaign, although we wouldn't object if a couple more additions are made before the window closes.
The Saddlers have already played a competitive match in the 2026/27 campaign, as they knocked Championship side Bristol City out of the EFL Cup last week.
Going into the game as firm underdogs, Lee Grant's side entered an extremely promising display that saw goalkeeper Jed Ward and defender Declan Skura shine whilst Aaron Pressley scored the only goal of the game.
Going into the contest on the back of a less-than-inspiring pre-season campaign, fans were pleasantly surprised as their team rose to the occasion.
After enduring back-to-back seasons of promise that ultimately ended in failure, it's not difficult to work out why the fans have been somewhat pessimistic heading into the new campaign.
We're all hoping the team will be able to build upon the win over the Robins and open the campaign in a positive manner, but must always remember just how long this season will be.
Going into the game as firm underdogs, Lee Grant's side entered an extremely promising display that saw goalkeeper Jed Ward and defender Declan Skura shine whilst Aaron Pressley scored the only goal of the game.
Going into the contest on the back of a less-than-inspiring pre-season campaign, fans were pleasantly surprised as their team rose to the occasion.
After enduring back-to-back seasons of promise that ultimately ended in failure, it's not difficult to work out why the fans have been somewhat pessimistic heading into the new campaign.
We're all hoping the team will be able to build upon the win over the Robins and open the campaign in a positive manner, but must always remember just how long this season will be.
TEAM NEWS
Ryan Leak (hamstring) is back in training after limping off during the recent pre-season defeat to AFC Telford United. Stan Straw continues his slow progress towards fitness, whilst Alex Pattison has been ruled out.
THE OPPOSITION
Gillingham enjoyed something of a so-so pre-season that saw them win three and lose three of their publicised games.
As with their opponents, it was a busy summer of change at the Priestfield Stadium with around sixteen players leaving at the end of last season, replaced with just nine permanent signings so far.
They've also already seen competitive action this season, but their EFL Cup outing was less successful than the Saddlers as they suffered a three-nil defeat to Luton Town in Round One.
For more from the Gills' perspective, take a look at Gills in the Blood's excellent match preview below.
FACTFILE: GILLINGHAM
Nickname: The Gills
Founded: 1893
Ground: Priestfield Stadium
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
Founded: 1893
Ground: Priestfield Stadium
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The
Saddlers and Gills have met on 124 previous occasions, and it's
Gillingham that hold the narrowest of head-to-head advantages with
forty-eight wins compared to Walsall's forty-seven wins apiece. (29 draws).
Their
first meeting took place on Saturday, 24th September 1927 as the1927,t
in a Division Three (South) match which was played in front of some
6,923 Fellows Park fans, and efans and 7-4 win for the Saddlers.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the Bescot Stadium on Friday, 3rd April 2026, and saw the spoils shared when the game ended in a two-all draw.
The Saddlers grabbed the opening goal of the game midway through the first-half when on-loan Fulham striker Aaron Loupalo-Bi got on the end of a superb cross by Courtney Clarke to put his team into the lead.
Gillingham levelled the scores five minutes into the second half when Ronan Hale capped off a strong counter-attack with a goal from inside the Saddlers penalty area.
The visitors went into the lead shortly after the match had reached the hour mark when Seb Palmer-Houlden was on hand to slip the ball over the line after Myles Roberts and Priestley Farquharson collided after chasing the same ball.
Walsall levelled the scores just a few minutes later when Daniel Kanu, who had netted his first goal for Sierra Leone earlier in the week, came off the bench to score his 18th goal in all competitions.
The Saddlers grabbed the opening goal of the game midway through the first-half when on-loan Fulham striker Aaron Loupalo-Bi got on the end of a superb cross by Courtney Clarke to put his team into the lead.
Gillingham levelled the scores five minutes into the second half when Ronan Hale capped off a strong counter-attack with a goal from inside the Saddlers penalty area.
The visitors went into the lead shortly after the match had reached the hour mark when Seb Palmer-Houlden was on hand to slip the ball over the line after Myles Roberts and Priestley Farquharson collided after chasing the same ball.
Walsall levelled the scores just a few minutes later when Daniel Kanu, who had netted his first goal for Sierra Leone earlier in the week, came off the bench to score his 18th goal in all competitions.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Some seventeen players have featured for both the Saddlers and Gills during their careers.
With the likes of Simeon Jackson, Matt Jarvis, Simon Osborn, Febian Brandy, Conor Wilkinson, and Darren Byfield amongst those to play for both.
With the likes of Simeon Jackson, Matt Jarvis, Simon Osborn, Febian Brandy, Conor Wilkinson, and Darren Byfield amongst those to play for both.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Emily Heaslip, who is based in Suffolk, will take charge of the match with Alex Mathieson and Alex Bradley being named as assistant referees, whilst Alan Young has been selected as Fourth Official.
Heaslip
officiated 22 matches across domestic, men's EFL, and European
competitions, handing out a total of 85 yellow cards, 6 red cards, and
awarding 4 penalties.
CATCH THE MATCH
This weekend's match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ to viewers in the UK. Fans overseas can subscribe to Saddlers+ to take in the game.