Attention turns to cup action in midweek when the Saddlers welcome League One side Leyton Orient to the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium for a Carabao Cup - Round Two clash...NEWS & VIEWS
After knocking Championship outfit Bristol City out of the opening stage of the competition earlier this month, the Saddlers should be full of confidence heading into Tuesday evening's clash.
Yet to concede a goal in the any competition, Walsall will reach the match on the back of a goalless draw against Grimsby Town - a match that saw Jed Ward continue his strong start to the season.
Despite failing to find a goal of their own, Lee Grant's side once again showed plenty of attacking endeavour and defensive strength, characteristics that are often hard to come by, especially so soon after a summer of change.
Playing the second of three home games in a row, the team will hopefully be cheered on by a packed Bescot Stadium as the new-look Reds hope to make it further in the competition.
THE OPPOSITION
Sitting 10th in League One, Orient have won one and lost one of their two league outings so far this season. Opening the league campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday, they secured their first points of the campaign with a 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
As with the Saddlers, Leyton Orient's first competitive outing of the season was in the Carabao Cup as they knocked Oxford United out of the competition by two-goals-to-nil.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Leyton Orient have met on seventy-nine previous occasions, and it's Orient who hold a comfortable win/loss advantage, having won on thirty-three occasions compared to the Saddlers' twenty-four.
There have also been twenty-two draws during the history of the fixture, a history which began at Whittle's Athletic Ground on Saturday, 12th October 1929 as Clapton Orient and the Saddlers met in a Division Three (South) clash which ended all-square with one goal apiece.
There have also been twenty-two draws during the history of the fixture, a history which began at Whittle's Athletic Ground on Saturday, 12th October 1929 as Clapton Orient and the Saddlers met in a Division Three (South) clash which ended all-square with one goal apiece.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 11th February 2023, and saw the spoils shared as each side scored a goal in front of over 6,000 fans.
It was an even contest for much of the opening stages of the first-half, with neither side truly testing their respective opposition; however, with around twenty minutes on the clock, on-loan Bristol City defender Joe Low opened his account for the campaign.
Walsall were able to hold onto their lead for the majority of the second half but would ultimately suffer heartbreak as Ed Turns levelled the scores with seven minutes of normal time remaining, with the game ending all-square.
It was an even contest for much of the opening stages of the first-half, with neither side truly testing their respective opposition; however, with around twenty minutes on the clock, on-loan Bristol City defender Joe Low opened his account for the campaign.
Walsall were able to hold onto their lead for the majority of the second half but would ultimately suffer heartbreak as Ed Turns levelled the scores with seven minutes of normal time remaining, with the game ending all-square.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Many players have played for both the Saddlers and Orient, including the likes of Danny Johnson, Adam Chambers, Sam Parkin, Otis Khan, and Conor Wilkinson.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL confirmed that Andrew Humphries who is based in Northamptonshire will take charge of the match with Samuel Clayton and Matthew Sowerby being named as assistant referees, whilst Scott Oldham has been selected as Fourth Official.
Humphries has taken charge of two games so far this season, and has issued nine cautions and three red cards.
CATCH THE MATCH
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ to Saddlers in the UK, whilst those overseas can subscribe to Saddlers+ for live coverage.