Promotion hopefuls Walsall will clash with Accrington Stanley in their gameweek 45 League Two fixture at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday.
The home side will go in search of their first win since February as they look to bolster their chances of automatic promotion, while the visiting side will aim to extend their unbeaten run to four matches, in hopes of avoiding the drop.
Match preview
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In what is turning out to be one of the most keenly contested League Two title races, Walsall's title charge has taken a dent with back-to-back draws in their last two outings.
The home side played out a 2-2 draw against Harrogate Town in gameweek 43, before another disappointing 0-0 stalemate against Newport County at Rodney Parade in their last league exertion.
The Saddlers looked to be on their way to claiming the title after 40 matches, but a run of 12 matches without a win since February has left them fourth in the table with 74 points, four adrift of leaders Doncaster Rovers.
With two fixtures left, claiming the title has become tricky for Mat Sadler's team, but they are still very much on course in their quest for promotion to League One, with only a point behind Bradford City, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot.
While they boast an impressive 74 goals scored - a record which is the best in the fourth tier - the same cannot be said of their defence that has conceded 53 goals in the current campaign.
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Accrington claimed a 2-1 win over promotion hopefuls Salford City in gameweek 43 to record their first win across eight League Two matches.
However, they could not build on that success to claim consecutive victories for the first time since January, after Carlisle United forced the Reds to a 1-1 draw in their last outing.
After an eventful first 45 minutes, John Doolan's team took the lead courtesy of a Sonny Aljofree effort in the 69th minute, but Callum Whelan stepped up with a late leveller to deny the home side a second win on the bounce.
That outcome leaves Doolan's team 21st in the standings with 47 points from 44 matches, two places and six points above the drop zone.
Looking to forestall the threat of relegation with only two matches left to play, the visitors will draw confidence from the 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture and their record of three wins in five meetings against the hosts.
Team News
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With no apparent injuries recorded in their last outing, Sadler could send out the starting 11 from their last match.
Although midfielder Jack Earing is not expected to be in considered for this contest for the home side, as he is currently sidelined with a long-term ankle issue he suffered towards the back end of 2024.
Similarly, the hosts will have to go into this battle without the duo of Priestley Farquharson and Josh Gordon, both of whom are confined to the treatment room with thigh and hamstring injuries respectively.
For the visitors, Jay Rich-Baghuelou is unavailable for their trip to the Midlands, as he continues his battle with a niggling injury.
Saturday's clash may come too soon for Irish midfielder Seamus Conneely, who is expected to face a fitness test to ascertain his readiness for the fixture.
Walsall possible starting lineup:
Simkin, Allen, Williams, Okagbue; Asiimwe, Chang, Jellis, Stirk, Gordon; Adomah, Amantchi
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Kelly, Ward, Mathews, Aljofree; B. Woods, Grant, Coyle, Love; Whally; Walton, J. Woods
We say: Walsall 1-0 Accrington Stanley
Given the desperation of the home side to earn automatic promotion to League One and the quality within their ranks, we can only envisage a victory for the hosts; therefore, we reckon that Sadler's charges will claim a 1-0 win.
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