Walsall's Sky Bet League Two campaign resumes on Saturday afternoon as they make their way to Prenton Park on the Wirral, where they'll take on Tranmere Rovers.THE SADDLERS
After going nine games in all-competitions without suffering defeat in normal time, the Saddlers were dealt something of a dose of reality on Tuesday evening as League One side Stevenage scored six goals to Walsall's one in the EFL Trophy.
Although the newly-named Jersey Mike's Trophy will hardly be a priority for the team, and head coach Lee Grant made many, many changes to his team, the manner of defeat was not acceptable.
Too slow at the back, and devoid of any real threat in attack, the much-changed team gave the gaffer more questions than answers when it comes to who will fill the void left by the recent raft of injuries.
This weekend's trip to the Wirral offers Grant the chance to revert to a preferred line-up and hopefully maintain his side's unbeaten run, although it may be jst as important to return home without collecting any more injury issues.
TEAM NEWS
Joining long-term absentee Harry Williams on the sidelines, midfielders Alex Pattison and Antony Evans are expected to be out until early 2027. Pattison suffered a setback in his return from injury, whilst Evans suffered a hamstring injury that could well see him return to his parent club before making another appearance for the club.
Aaron Pressley is expected to be available for selection soon, while Roman Dixon, who came off in the first half of the midweek defeat to Stevenage, will resume his rehab as the medical department continues to keep busy.
Aaron Pressley is expected to be available for selection soon, while Roman Dixon, who came off in the first half of the midweek defeat to Stevenage, will resume his rehab as the medical department continues to keep busy.
Courtney Clarke, Rico Browne and Charlie Crew will also be absent as they join up with their respective national sides.
THE OPPOSITION
Opponents Tranmere Rovers sit 10th in the table ahead of this weekend's clash. Winning just two of their opening seven league games, they've only suffered one defeat, as former Walsall boss Darrell Clarke has made his side tough to beat.
They'll reach this weekend's match on the back of a narrow EFL Trophy victory over Shrewsbury Town as substitute Dylan Jones came off the bench to score the only goal of the game.
Rovers' most recent league game took place last weekend and saw them and Exeter City play out a goalless draw at St James Park, marking Tranmere's fourth draw in six league games.
They'll reach this weekend's match on the back of a narrow EFL Trophy victory over Shrewsbury Town as substitute Dylan Jones came off the bench to score the only goal of the game.
Rovers' most recent league game took place last weekend and saw them and Exeter City play out a goalless draw at St James Park, marking Tranmere's fourth draw in six league games.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Walsall and Tranmere Rovers have met on eighty-five previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold an overall win/loss advantage, having won forty-one times compared to Rovers' twenty-eight.
There have also been sixteen draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Rovers' Prenton Park on Saturday, 10th September 1921 as the two sides met in a Division Three (North) clash in which the Saddlers won by one-goal-to-nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting, also in Sky Bet League Two, took place at Rovers' Prenton Park on Saturday, 17th January 2026, and saw the Saddlers secure all three points with a 3-1 win.
Walsall grabbed the opening goal of the game with just seven minutes of the first-half remaining when Priestley Farquharson headed the ball home from close range following a corner kick.
The Saddlers doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when on-loan Addick Daniel Kanu netted his fourteenth goal of the campaign following a well-worked counter-attack.
Walsall's third goal of the game arrived five minutes after the hour mark as Jamille Matt scored his third goal of the season when he got on the end of an Aden Flint cross to head the ball home.
Tranmere gave themselves a glimmer of hope as the clock ticked towards the ninetieth minute, as substitute Joe Ironside dirtied the Saddlers' sheet, but that would prove to be just a consolation as Walsall took all three points.
Walsall grabbed the opening goal of the game with just seven minutes of the first-half remaining when Priestley Farquharson headed the ball home from close range following a corner kick.
The Saddlers doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when on-loan Addick Daniel Kanu netted his fourteenth goal of the campaign following a well-worked counter-attack.
Walsall's third goal of the game arrived five minutes after the hour mark as Jamille Matt scored his third goal of the season when he got on the end of an Aden Flint cross to head the ball home.
Tranmere gave themselves a glimmer of hope as the clock ticked towards the ninetieth minute, as substitute Joe Ironside dirtied the Saddlers' sheet, but that would prove to be just a consolation as Walsall took all three points.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Over thirty players have taken to the field for both the Saddlers and Rovers, with the likes of Joe Murphy, Peter Clarke, Kieron Morris, Josh Ginnelly, Morgan Ferrier and Michael Ricketts all featuring on the list.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Stephen Parkinson who is based in Hertfordshire will take charge of the match with Bradley Hall and Drew Dutton being named as assistant referees, whilst Jordan Brooks has been selected as Fourth Official.
CATCH THE MATCH
Saddlers fans can catch the match via the club's in-house service Saddlers+, which has Monthly and Seasonal Audio Match Passes available. Find out more, here.
