Walsall return to Sky Bet League Two action this weekend as they take on Swindon Town, with the Saddlers looking to continue their impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign.Walsall are one of only three teams to remain unbeaten since the opening day of the league season across England's top four divisions, and will be looking to maintain that record as they visit the Nigel Eady County Ground this weekend.
Going into the game on the back of a midweek Jersey Mike's Trophy triumph over Fulham Under-21s, head coach Lee Grant is likely to revert back to a team closer to the one that drew with Fleetwood Town last weekend, although some of the players on the fringe will have made a good argument to be included in the matchday squad.
There is no denying we're still very much in the early stages of the season and the Lee Grant era as a whole, but the team has shown great strength in the face of adversity on several occasions so far this season, something that should hold them in good stead when we reach the business end of the campaign.
Going into the game on the back of a midweek Jersey Mike's Trophy triumph over Fulham Under-21s, head coach Lee Grant is likely to revert back to a team closer to the one that drew with Fleetwood Town last weekend, although some of the players on the fringe will have made a good argument to be included in the matchday squad.
There is no denying we're still very much in the early stages of the season and the Lee Grant era as a whole, but the team has shown great strength in the face of adversity on several occasions so far this season, something that should hold them in good stead when we reach the business end of the campaign.
THE OPPOSITION
Opponents Swindon Town haven't won any of their last five league games and will reach this weekend's match on the back of a 1-0 defeat to title-chasing Crewe Alexandra.
Managed by Ian Holloway, the Robins have lost half of their opening ten league games and are in dire need of a return to winning ways as many of the teams below them in the table continue to pick up points.
Managed by Ian Holloway, the Robins have lost half of their opening ten league games and are in dire need of a return to winning ways as many of the teams below them in the table continue to pick up points.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been 111 competitive meetings between Walsall and Swindon Town. And it's the Robins who hold a small head-to-head lead, having won 42 times compared to the Saddlers' 39.
There have also been thirty draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at the County Ground on Saturday, 15th October 1927, as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which the Robins won by five-goals-to-nil.
The Saddlers would also go on to lose the next two meetings, conceding another seven goals in the process, as their opponents enjoyed a strong start to the rivalry.
In fact, Walsall wouldn't secure their first victory over Swindon until their fifth meeting, which took place at Fellows Park on Monday, 23rd September 1929, and saw the Saddlers triumph four-nil.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting between the Saddlers and Robins took place at the Nigel Eady County Ground on Monday, 6th April 2026, and saw Swindon win 2-1.
Looking to continue their unbeaten run under interim boss Darren Byfield, the Saddlers should have opened the scoring in the second half when Kacper Lopata couldn't get the ball under control before Daniel Kanu fired wide.
The first goal of the game arrived with sixty-six minutes played when Jame Jellis came off the bench to score his first goal of the season. Aaron Loupalo-Bi credited with the assist.
Sadly for the Saddlers, they couldn't hold onto their lead as Fletcher Holman became the second player to come off the bench to score, as Connor Ripley's superb long throw saw him get on the end of the ball and slot it under Myles Roberts.
The home side went into the lead in second-half stoppage time when Aaron Drinan scored from just inside the area following a lapse in the Saddlers' backline as they expected an offside to be signalled.
Looking to continue their unbeaten run under interim boss Darren Byfield, the Saddlers should have opened the scoring in the second half when Kacper Lopata couldn't get the ball under control before Daniel Kanu fired wide.
The first goal of the game arrived with sixty-six minutes played when Jame Jellis came off the bench to score his first goal of the season. Aaron Loupalo-Bi credited with the assist.
Sadly for the Saddlers, they couldn't hold onto their lead as Fletcher Holman became the second player to come off the bench to score, as Connor Ripley's superb long throw saw him get on the end of the ball and slot it under Myles Roberts.
The home side went into the lead in second-half stoppage time when Aaron Drinan scored from just inside the area following a lapse in the Saddlers' backline as they expected an offside to be signalled.
PLAYED FOR BOTH
The players who have played for both Walsall and Swindon Town are Elijah Adebayo, Trevor Benjamin, Deon Burton, Reece Devine, Ashley Grimes, Lee Holmes, Chris Hussey, Kevin James, Liam Kinsella, Olly Lancashire, Ryan McGivern, Richard McKinney, Rollin Menayese, Tommy Mooney, Sam Parkin, Matt Preston, Ben Purkiss, Will Randall, Tyrese Shade, Jamie Vincent, Andy Williams and Sofiene Zaaboub.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Alex Chilowicz who is originally from New Jersey in the United States, will take charge of the match with Mark Dwyer and Marcus Carmichael being named as assistant referees, whilst Alex Bradley has been selected as Fourth Official.
CATCH THE MATCH
Fans can catch the match via Saddlers+ which offers Audio Match Passes for fans in the UK, whilst fans overseas can access Video Match Passes.
