Opening paragraph...THE SADDLERS
Drawing four of their last five league games, the Saddlers continue to struggle for impact in the final third, but show plenty of defensive solidity at the other end of the pitch,
Playing out two goalless draws in as many games, Lee Grant's side have simply got to be better in attacking areas, especially in games where they're by far the better team.
Using last weekend's draw with Rochdale as an example, the Saddlers dominated possession and produced some twenty-four shots, with seven hitting the target, but still had to settle for a share of the spoils.
With that in mind, its clear the team is more than capable of taking all three points but, after starting the season in fine fettle, seems to have lost its mojo in front of goal.
Scoring five goals across his opening six games of the season, Aaron Pressley hasn't scored in two and needs to be backed up by his teammates if the Saddlers' new aggressive approach is to succeed.
THE OPPOSITION
After losing three and drawing the other two of their opening five league games, Port Vale were able to win their first game o the 2026/27 campaign last weekend when George Byers' seventieth-minute penalty proved to be enough to down Exeter City.
FORM GUIDE
Walsall DWDDD - Walsall will be keen to return to winning ways this weekend as they take on the struggling Valiants.
Port Vale DDLLW - Port Vale will be looking to build upon last weekend's first win of the league campaign as they visit WS1.
Port Vale DDLLW - Port Vale will be looking to build upon last weekend's first win of the league campaign as they visit WS1.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Port Vale have met on ninety-nine previous occasions, and the Saddlers hold a comfortable win/ loss advantage, having emerged victorious forty-seven times compared to the Valiants' twenty-six.
There have also been twenty-six over the fixture's history, a history that began at the Athletic Ground on Saturday, 31st December 1892, as Burslem Port Vale and Walsall Town Swifts met in a League Division Two match, which the home side won by three goals to nil.
The two sides went on to trade victories for the next two years, with each side earning three wins from their first six encounters.
In more modern times, the Saddlers have won six of the last seven meetings, winning five times in as many games.
There have also been twenty-six over the fixture's history, a history that began at the Athletic Ground on Saturday, 31st December 1892, as Burslem Port Vale and Walsall Town Swifts met in a League Division Two match, which the home side won by three goals to nil.
The two sides went on to trade victories for the next two years, with each side earning three wins from their first six encounters.
In more modern times, the Saddlers have won six of the last seven meetings, winning five times in as many games.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting, also in League Two, took place at the Bescot Stadium on Saturday, 5th April 2025, and saw the Valiants secure the win by three-goals-to-two.
Walsall thought they'd opened the scoring within twenty seconds of kick-off when Jamille Matt headed home, only for the referee to call play back for a foul on a defender.
It was in fact Port Vale who would open the scoring as Laurent Tolaj put the ball into the back of Sam Hornby's net. A frantic start at the Bescot.
The Saddlers didn't allow the visitors' goal to get them down, as they were soon back on level terms when Taylor Allen netted his third goal in as many games, with this one coming via the penalty spot.
Walsall went into the lead after eleven minutes of play as Levi Amantchi tapped the ball home at the back post, following a goalmouth scramble.
Vale captain Ben Garrity levelled the scores with under five minutes of the first-half remaining as the match looked to have reached the halfway point all-square.
However, the scoring didn't end there as the visitors went into the lead in first-half stoppage time as Tolaj scored from the spot after being felled inside the area by Oisin McEntee.
Walsall thought they'd opened the scoring within twenty seconds of kick-off when Jamille Matt headed home, only for the referee to call play back for a foul on a defender.
It was in fact Port Vale who would open the scoring as Laurent Tolaj put the ball into the back of Sam Hornby's net. A frantic start at the Bescot.
The Saddlers didn't allow the visitors' goal to get them down, as they were soon back on level terms when Taylor Allen netted his third goal in as many games, with this one coming via the penalty spot.
Walsall went into the lead after eleven minutes of play as Levi Amantchi tapped the ball home at the back post, following a goalmouth scramble.
Vale captain Ben Garrity levelled the scores with under five minutes of the first-half remaining as the match looked to have reached the halfway point all-square.
However, the scoring didn't end there as the visitors went into the lead in first-half stoppage time as Tolaj scored from the spot after being felled inside the area by Oisin McEntee.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
A plethora of players have taken to the field for the Saddlers and Valiants, with the likes of Mal Benning, Brett Angell, Jimmy O'Connor, Ben Purkiss, and, most recently, Liam Gordon.
MATCH OFFICIALS
James Oldham who is based in Derbyshire will take charge of the match with Jack Clench and Joe Simpson being named as assistant referees, whilst Matthew Scholes has been selected as Fourth Official. Click here for more information.
CATCH THE MATCH
Kicking-off at 12.30pm, Saturday's match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+ for viewers in the UK. Saddlers overseas can catch the match on Saddlers+.