Walsall
- Walsall FC are 7th in League Two with 49 points from 28 games.
- Walsall FC have won seven, drawn three and lost four of their 14 home League Two matches this season, conceding just 13 goals.
- Mat Sadler took charge of the club in April 2023 and has installed a compact system with a back-three and attacking wing-backs.
- The Saddlers are solid in their defensive shape, pressing high and low in numbers and creating a platform to attack from with their quick transitions.
- Walsall have drawn their last three league games and are in inconsistent form, W1, D3, L1 in their last five.
Barnet
- Barnet are 12th with 42 points from 28 and are looking to claw their way into the top half.
- Barnet’s Bees are in good form, having gone unbeaten in their last three (W2, D1), with a 3-2 win at Oldham Athletic and a 1-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers.
- Barnet’s 3-4-2-1 system sees the wing-backs attack the halves and provide numbers in the final third.
- The Bees press high and bring players off the backline to support the frontman, which can leave them exposed at the back.
Head-to-Head
- Walsall will want to make a statement in this fixture.
- The only head-to-head League Two meeting was a 2-1 away win for the Saddlers five months ago.
Key Players
- Daniel Kanu
- 12 goals in 24 League Two appearances
- Three of Walsall’s last seven
- Kabongo Tshimanga
- Six goals in 26 appearances
- Two in his last five
Betting Insights
Barnet are slight favorites at 2.6 , but the home team is a good price at 2.76 .
Prediction
So I’m siding with a draw at 3.1 - this should be a close, hard-fought game with both teams likely to find the net.
