Match Preview: v Colchester United (H)
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Don't forget to join us across our social media channels where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers welcome Colchester United to the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
PRE-MATCH NEWS & VIEWS
The Saddlers have been in fine form over the first few months of the season. Losing just two of their seven league outings and with their only other defeat coming against Premier League opposition in the form of a penalty shoot-out loss to Leicester City, it's fair to say things are going well.
Sitting third in the table, just a point off the top spot, Mat Sadler's side have produced several strong performances already this season, with the group not only showing patience to break a defensive side down but also the ability to rebound from going behind, something that has been absent over recent seasons.
Despite being knocked out of the Carabao Cup midweek, the team has plenty of positives to take into this weekend's match, not least their solid defensive display that saw the much-fancies Foxes simply incapable of making the breakthrough in normal time.
This weekend's opponents Colchester United enjoyed a game-free midweek and should be fighting fit as they make their way to WS1 with a view to building upon their recent 3-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers.
Lyle Taylor's first-half brace, along with Samson Tovide's second-half effort, were enough to snap a run of four league games without a win and move them into the safe waters of mid-table.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
The Saddlers remain without the services of defender Priestley Farquharson and forward Josh Gordon who are both out for four months.
Oisin McEntee also remains on the sidelines, while Donervon Daniels and Brandon Comley were fit enough to be named on the bench on Tuesday evening.
Jack Earing is fighting to be fit for the match, with Mat Sadler believing he'll be fit enough for the bench at the very least.
STAT PACK
Walsall are undefeated in all competitions in their last 6 home matches against Colchester United (W2,D4).
Walsall have won all three of their home league games so far this season (v Morecambe, v Cheltenham Town, v Bradford City).
Colchester United are winless on the road in the league so far this season (P3,W0,D2,L1)
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Colchester United have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
WALSALL | COLCHESTER UNITED |
LWLWW | LDDDW |
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been seventy-six competitive meetings between Walsall and U's, and it's the Saddlers who hold a very small head-to-head advantage, having won on twenty-seven occasions, compared to Colchester's twenty-five.
There have also been twenty-four draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Layer Road on Saturday, 18th November 1950 as the two sides met in a Division Three (South) clash which took place in front of 9,584 and saw Harry Hibbs' Saddlers win by one-goal-to-nil as Phil Chapman netted the only goal of the game twelve minutes into the second half.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting took place at the JobServe Community Stadium on Saturday, 16th March 2024and saw the spoils shared as the teams played out a one-all draw.
The first goal of the game went the way of the Saddlers as Taylor Allen, otherwise known as the Cannock Cannavaro, bagged his second goal of the season, the former Forest Green man sweeping the ball home from Liam Gordon's pullback.
Colchester levelled the scores just minutes into the second half as Cameron McGeehan slammed the ball into the back of the net following Bradley Ihionvien's short Pass.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Farai Hallam who is based in Surrey will take charge of the match with Jacob Graham and Alistair Nelson being named as assistant referees, whilst Elliot Bell has been selected as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED |
6 |
YELLOW CARDS | RED CARDS |
12 | 0 |
PENALTIES AWARDED |
0 |
