Walsall Host League One Promotion Hopefuls
The English Football League action continues this week, despite the international break and there is an exciting clash to look forward to in League One on Wednesday night featuring teams at both ends of the table.
Walsall host Wigan Athletic and the home team are looking to win this match and move clear of the relegation zone. Four teams face the drop from League One and although Walsall are currently in 17th place, they are just 5 points clear of the relegation zone.
Wigan are challenging for promotion this season and with their FA Cup run over, they can concentrate fully on the league. Paul Cook’s team start the week in 3rd place, just outside the automatic promotion places.
They have two games in hand over second place Shrewsbury and three over first place Blackburn and a win in this match will leave them in a great position to win promotion this season.
Walsall come into this match having lost 2-0 at promotion hopefuls Shrewsbury Town on the weekend. It was their fourth defeat in five games and Dean Keates knows his team must string a couple of wins together to feel safe this season.
Trend show Walsall have won only one of their last six matches in League One and this has seen them sucked towards the bottom end of the table. Home form has seen them lose their last two league games, one of which was to Rochdale who are currently in 23rd place in League One.
Wigan make the trip to the Banks's Stadium having lost in the quarter-final of the FA Cup to Southampton on the weekend. Having been one step away from Wembley, the players were disappointed to lose the game.
However, Wigan must forget about that missed opportunity and concentrate on this match and winning promotion to the Championship.
Trends show Wigan are a tough team to beat and they gave lost only three of their last twenty matches in all competitions, including the fantastic 1-0 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup. Wigan have lost only two of their last seventeen games in League One.
Away from home, Wigan have won seven of their last nine matches, including a good win at fellow promotion contenders Rotherham United and the Latics also picked up a point at current league leaders Blackburn during that run of nine games.
Looking ahead to the team news and Walsall are still without midfielder Joe Edwards who is expected to be side-lined with a knee injury until the end of the season.
Wigan avoided any injuries during their FA Cup defeat to Southampton and should be at full strength for this match. Nathan Byrne will need to watch his step as he is just one yellow card away from suspension.
It’s difficult to make a case for Walsall in this match and with Wigan determined to bounce back following their FA Cup loss on Sunday, expect the away team to come away with maximum points in their bid for promotion.
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