We welcome Premiership outfit Crystal Palace to The Banks’s Stadium as we try to pull off a Giant Killing against the struggling London side.
Vital Quotes:
Scott Dann “I haven`t been back there since I left and obviously I have got fond memories,” he said.
“It`s where I first started league football and I really enjoyed my time there so it will be nice to go back there.
“Hopefully we can get the right result and get through to the next round.”
Walsall Team News:
Walsall boss Dean Smith said that Sam Mantom will play through the pain barrier in a bid to get fit and he might see tonight as a game for him to do that.
Ben Purkiss and James Chambers are still out with minor injuries.
Player to watch: Anthony Forde
Forde joined on a two year deal from Wolves this summer and was given his debut at the weekend.
Forde was the bright spark in our draw with Orient and despite the miss of the season, he will gain a lot from his performance.
Crystal Palace Team News:
Crystal Palace will assess midfielder Joe Ledley, who pulled out of Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal after hurting his groin in the warm-up.
Caretaker boss Keith Millen is expected to field a strong line-up as Palace look to regain confidence.
Player to watch: Scott Dann
Picking a player who will start tonight is hard enough so we will go for a former Saddler.
ZiDANN has he was fondly known to the Saddlers faithful returns this evening for the first time since he departed for Coventry City in 2008 for £1,000,000. During his time with Walsall, Scotty Dann made 59 appearances scoring 7 goals including a ‘worldie’ against Rochdale – where he beat 5 players before firing it in from around 25 yards.
Match Facts & Stats
Form goes out the window with a cup tie but the Saddlers have not enjoyed playing Crystal Palace over the years. Crystal Palace have won 31 of the fixtures between these sides – with Walsall winning 17.
Walsall last beat Crystal Palace in 1976! – we are due a win then.
Palace have gone out at the Second Round stage, in 5 out the last 7 years.
Ref Watch:
Darren Drysdale from Lincolnshire is the man in the middle.
Drysdale has officiated two Walsall games in recent times, both draws. His only officiated Palace game also ended a draw….extra time and penalties tonight then!
Match Prediction:
Palace and Walsall are both struggling for form but Palace are a Premiership side and if they turn up, they should win.
However with the problems that are going on behind the scenes, given they dont have a manager – I will go for a 2-1 Walsall win.
Next Fixtures:
30.08.14 – Scunthorpe v WALSALL
30.08.14 – Newcastle v PALACE
