The Saddlers are hoping to make it two league home wins on the spin as we welcome near neighbours Burton Albion to the Banks’s Stadium.
I still haven’t forgiven them for snatching promotion away from us a few seasons ago!
TEAM NEWS
WALSALL
Walsall boss Dean Keates will have a defensive headache as to whether keep with Martin and Guthrie last weekend or bring back fit again Jack Fitzwater. I think it will be harsh on Fitz as hes not had a bad season so far however I think it will be a case of as you were.
The only injuries we have at present are Adam Chambers, Joe Edwards and Kory Roberts but we have been without the trio for the past few months. Chambers is edging closer to a return though with Edwards set to return in January and Roberts set to return next pre season.
BURTON
Burton are still waiting on the fitness of left-back Damien McCrory (calf) and forward Marvin Sordell (hip)
LIKELY LINE UPS?
Walsall – Roberts, Wilson, Guthrie, Martin, Leahy, Ronan, Dobson, Osbourne, Morris, Ferrier, Cook
Burton – Evtimov, Brayford, McFazdean, Turner, Hutchinson, Allen, Quinn, Hesketh, Akins, Boyce, Miller
ONES TO WATCH
ANDY COOK (WALSALL)
Cookie scored his first goal in eight league games to take his tally to six for the season. His previous goal before Saturday was in September against Barnsley.
He will be hoping to cement his place back in the side and will be looking to add a few more this weekend.
LIAM BOYCE (BURTON)
Boyce has been in fantastic form so far this season scoring seven goals and four assists.
Boyce became Burton Albion’s record signing moving from Ross County in 2017 – where he scored forty-eight goals in eighty appearances for the Scottish outfit. Since moving to Burton he found life difficult in the Championship scoring just eight goals in two seasons. However he seems to have found his level in League 1 and will be a handful on Saturday.
PAST MEETINGS
The Saddlers have faced Burton on just three occasions – Walsall 2, Draw 1, Burton 0
The only time both sides have met at the Banks’s Stadium came in October 2015 where goals from Tom Bradshaw and Liam Kinsella sent the Saddlers top of League 1.
The last time both sides met was earlier this season where the Saddlers won 2-1 in the Checkatrade Trophy thanks to goals from Kieron Morris and Josh Gordon.
Our last games v Burton Albion
21.09.18 – Burton 1-2 Walsall
27.02.16 – Burton 0-0 Walsall
10.10.15 – Walsall 2-0 Burton
MATCH OFFICIALS
REFREE – KEVIN JOHNSON
Linesmen – Richard Wild and Abbas Khan
Fourth Official – Alix Pashley
Johnson has officiated eleven games this season, dishing out thirty-five yellow cards, zero red cards and awarded two penalties.
This will be Johnson’s first game at the Banks’s Stadium however he has officiated four games where the Saddlers have played away from home – our most recent was the 2-0 defeat to Fleetwood at the end of last season.
MATCH PREDICTION
Burton are buzzing following their progression in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup this week however we have seen it far too often where the cup competitions can have a negative effect on league form.
- The Saddlers have won our last two home games (against Wycombe and Middlesbrough Under 21’s)
- Burton have won just one of their last eight games on the road.
- Burton have conceded two goals on their travels in 4 out their 9 away games.
- Saddlers have scored two or more goals in 5 out their 9 home games.
VITAL PREDICTION – WALSALL 2-0 BURTON
UP NEXT
Tuesday 6th November
Sky Bet League 1
Walsall v Charlton Athletic
