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Walsall
League Two | Gameweek 26
Jan 11, 2025 at 12.30pm UK
Poundland Bescot Stadium
Tranmere Rovers

Walsall
5 - 1
Tranmere

Matt (15', 49'), Stirk (22'), Jellis (72'), Lowe (80')
McEntee (29'), Jellis (45+2')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Jennings (44')
Turnbull (22'), Davies (23'), Finley (29'), Dennis (29')
Finley (38')

Preview: Walsall vs. Tranmere Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Walsall and Tranmere Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Walsall play host to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday afternoon looking to strengthen their position at the top of the League Two table.

Meanwhile, Rovers make the trip to the West Midlands sitting just five points clear of the relegation zone.


Match preview

Taylor Allen of Walsall celebrates with teammates on December 3, 2024© Imago

With the last game at Cheltenham Town falling foul of the weather, Matt Sadler may have welcomed the extra week off for his all-conquering Walsall side.

However, there is a air of uncertainty over whether the Saddlers will be able to seamlessly continue a seven-match winning streak as they attempt to cruise to the title.

There is currently a 10-point gap over second place with a game in hand, Walsall now also having back-to-back home fixtures against the 20th and 11th-placed teams in the fourth tier.

Goals have not necessarily been easy to come by, though. The West Midlands outfit have failed to score more than twice in any of their last six league encounters.

Nevertheless, just one strike has been conceded during that period, while Walsall will now look to better a home record that currently stands at 29 points being accumulated from a possible 36.

Tranmere Rovers manager Nigel Adkins during his side's match against Salford City, on September 27, 2024© Imago

Back in August, Tranmere were able to record a 1-0 victory over Walsall at Prenton Park, a result which was followed by a win at Carlisle United.

Since then, though, Nigel Adkins's team have recorded just four victories in 19 league matches, leaving them in a scrap to avoid demotion to the National League.

On a positive note, four points have been collected from their last three outings, the double being completed over Carlisle to extend the gap to the bottom-placed side to seven points.

That said, Tranmere make the trip to Walsall with the worst away record in the division, racking up just eight points from 11 matches and losing their last five.

Walsall League Two form:


Walsall form (all competitions):


Tranmere Rovers League Two form:


Tranmere Rovers form (all competitions):



Team News

Ben Purrington of Exeter City in action with Josh Gordon of Walsall on August 13, 2024© Imago

The extended break provided this Walsall squad with a much-needed break and it frees up Sadler to name his strongest XI.

Having been partially rested last time out, Jamille Matt will return to the attack to take the place of fellow veteran Albert Adomah.

While Josh Gordon is pushing for a return to the squad after a hamstring injury, Priestley Farquharson remains on the sidelines.

Barring any fitness issues, Adkins could select the same Tranmere side that started the potentially-pivotal win over Carlisle.

Adkins switched to a back three for that contest, the introduction of Cameron Norman at right wing-back proving decisive as he scored the only goal of the game.


Walsall possible starting lineup:
Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Weir; Barrett, Jellis, Stirk, Lakin, Gordon; Lowe, Matt

Tranmere Rovers possible starting lineup:
McGee; O'Connor, Davies, Turnbull; Norman, Finley, Morris, Bradshaw; Jennings, Saunders, Patrick


SM words green background

We say: Walsall 2-0 Tranmere Rovers

With Tranmere having posted a crucial victory last time out, there will be extra belief ahead of taking on the toughest challenge in the division. Nevertheless, we still expect Walsall to come through with the three points and to keep a clean sheet in the process.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Darren Plant

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CDoncaster RoversDoncaster4624121073502384
4Walsall4621141175542177
5AFC Wimbledon4620131356352173
6Notts County4620121468491972
7Chesterfield4619131473541970
8Salford City4618151364541069
9Grimsby Town46208186167-668
10Colchester UnitedColchester461619115247567
11Bromley461715146459566
12Swindon TownSwindon461517147163862
13Crewe AlexandraCrewe461517144948162
14Fleetwood TownFleetwood461515166060060
15Cheltenham TownCheltenham461612186070-1060
16BarrowBarrow461514175250259
17Gillingham461416164146-558
18Harrogate TownHarrogate461411214361-1853
19MK Dons461410225266-1452
20Tranmere RoversTranmere461215194565-2051
21Accrington StanleyAccrington461214205369-1650
22Newport CountyNewport461310235276-2449
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle461012244471-2742
RMorecambe46106304072-3236


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