Match Preview

Walsall Look To Blunt The Iron

|

Our first away game of the season takes us to Scunthorpe as Dean Keates men look to maintain their 100% start to the season with new signing Isaiah Osbourne set to replace the injured Adam Chambers.

TEAM NEWS

Walsall

Walsall welcome new signings Isaiah Osbourne and Josh Gordon into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Scunthorpe.

Adam Chambers is a doubt for Saturday so Isaiah Osbourne looks set to make his debut again.

Although youMorgan Ferrier and Andy Cook will once again look to cause the opposition defence problems.

Long term absentees Joe Edwards (ACL) and Kory Roberts (broken leg) are missing until 2019.

Scunthorpe

Scunthorpe were dealt a blow last night as winger Duane Holmes left the club to join Derby however they signed Wigan’s Athletic midfielder Ryan Colclough to replace him.

Matt Gilks is still on the long-term injury list, while the game will probably come too soon for Josh Morris.

New signing Matty Lund should be given more of a chance to shine in central midfield following his move from Burton Albion.

LIKELY LINE UPS?

Walsall – L.Roberts, Devlin, Guthrie, Fitzwater, Leahy, Ismail, Dobson, Osbourne, Ginnelly, Cook, Ferrier

Scunthorpe – Watson, Clarke, Goode, Burgess, Borthwick-Jackson, Perch, Lund, Ojo, Colclough, Dales, Humphrys

DANGERMEN

Andy Cook (Walsall)

Cook has now scored four goals in his last three games for the Saddlers, scoring a brace against Ajax and a solo goal against Cheltenham in pre season friendlies but opened his league account at the weekend scoring the rebound from his initial penalty miss. Cook also hit the inside of the post in the final few minutes and was a constant threat upfront winning the majority of his headers.

Ryan Colclough (Scunthorpe)

Colclough joined Scunthorpe last night from Wigan Athletic and will prove to be one of the best wingers in League 1 if he reaches the levels he did at Crewe.

Colclough scored fifteen goals in fifty five appearances for Crewe before Wigan signed him in January 2016. He found his time at Wigan limited and joined MK Dons on loan in 2016 and scored five goals in sixteen games.

PAST MEETINGS

The Saddlers have faced Scunthorpe on forty-eight occasions – Walsall 15, Draw 16, Scunthorpe 17

The Saddlers have won just two of our last ten meetings. The last time these sides met was April of this year where a Ryan Yates goal was enough to give Scunthorpe all three points.

Our last five away games v Scunthorpe

21.04.18 – Scunthorpe 1-0 Walsall

14.02.17 – Scunthorpe 0-0 Walsall

29.09.15 – Scunthorpe 0-1 Walsall

30.08.14 – Scunthorpe 2-1 Walsall

13.04.13 – Scunthorpe 1-1 Walsall

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee – DEAN WHITESTONE
Richard Wild and Ian Smedley
Fourth Official : David Plowright

Dean Whitestone made a dramatic start to his 2018/19 campaign by sending off two players on the opening day.

Last season Whitestone officiated thirty four games, dishing out ninety-one yellow cards and just three reds. He also awarded six penalties.

Whitestone has officiated twelve games involving the Saddlers in his career, with the Saddlers winning just three of them. Drawing four and losing five, although the Saddlers have not lost in the last four games hes officiated.

MATCH PREDICTION

Well we won our first game but this is a completely different kettle of fish. Scunthorpe will once again be pushing for a play-off place this season and are very good at home.

Should we come away with anything then it will be a bonus. Having said that its our first game on the road this season and with a new look side anything can happen.

Vital Prediction – Scunthorpe 1-1 Walsall (Cook)

UP NEXT

Tuesday 14th August

EFL Cup (19:45)

Tranmere v Walsall

Share this article