Walsall FC
- Walsall FC are unbeaten in five League Two games with three wins and two draws.
- Walsall FC’s promotion credentials will be put to the test by Cambridge United in a tactical chess match on Thursday when two of the most improved teams in League Two face off.
- Saddlers are the division’s current pace-setters on 43 points from 22 games, while the U’s sit eighth on 35 points from the same number of fixtures.
- The Saddlers’ system is settled and very structured, as a watcher of League Two knows, while the U’s are pragmatic and shape-shifting.
- Sadler’s team have let in only eight goals in 11 road trips in which they have won six, drawn three and lost two.
- Sadler’s side drew 0-0 away to Notts County and beat Crewe Alexandra 1-0 at home over the past week to extend their unbeaten run to five.
Cambridge United
- Cambridge United are unbeaten in their last three League Two matches, winning one and drawing two.
- Harris’ players can play in various formations and are good at controlling the build-up, pressing selectively and then releasing the ball into the wider areas.
- Cambridge’s defence has been particularly solid at home where they have shipped only seven goals in 11, so it is difficult to see either side getting too many goals on Thursday.
- Cambridge are coming off a 1-1 tie away at Gillingham, a 2-0 win at home over Accrington Stanley and a 1-1 tie at MK Dons.
- Cambridge’s best chance of getting a goal would come in transition against a team that presses, while James Brophy is their main scoring threat with three goals in 21 appearances.
Key Players
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Daniel Kanu
- Daniel Kanu is in fine form for Walsall FC with two goals in the last five, making him the top scorer for the club with nine in 18.
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James Brophy
- James Brophy is their main scoring threat with three goals in 21 appearances.
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Sullay Kaikai
- Sullay Kaikai is in similar form for Cambridge United with three in his last five.
Betting Insights
- Walsall’s odds as slight favorites at 3.3 are good enough, particularly when you consider that Cambridge are 2.35 and the draw 2.94.
- The best approach may be to take the oddsmakers on and go with Both Teams to Score at 2.05.
Prediction
The Saddlers should be able to edge this one because of their recent form, defensive solidity on the road and greater overall quality.
