Preview: Walsall vs. Crewe Alexandra - prediction, team news, lineups

The Saddlers are currently in 11th place, five points clear of the visitors, who will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.

Match preview

After a slow start to their league campaign, Walsall have really started to gather momentum in recent weeks, and they are now just three points off the playoffs, occupying 11th place.

This rise up the league table has been instigated by the Saddlers winning four and drawing two of their last six league games, a remarkable improvement after previously going 12 games without a win in all competitions earlier this season.

During this recent run, Michael Flynn's side have also progressed to the third round of the FA Cup, defeating good League One opposition in the first round, in a 2-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers, before a narrow 2-1 win against Carlisle United.

While their strike force has been solid enough in recent weeks, Walsall have their backline to thank for their purple patch, as they now have the third-best defensive record in the league, and the best one outside of the top three.

This acumen in defence was particularly vital last time out, as the Saddlers ran out 2-0 winners away at Doncaster Rovers, courtesy of second-half strikes from Tom Knowles and top-scorer Danny Johnson.

Following their relegation from League One last season, Crewe have struggled to adapt to their new level, and find themselves eight points off the playoff places, although they do have two games in hand on a lot of other teams.

The Railwaymen's main issue has been scoring goals, currently averaging less than one a game, having scored just 18 in their 19 League Two outings up to this point.

Manager Alex Morris stepped down from his post at the beginning of November, and his assistant Lee Bell was appointed to the vacant role, getting off to a great start with a 1-0 FA Cup win against league leaders Leyton Orient.

That was the first of three straight wins for Crewe, all of which were 1-0, displaying their defensive qualities particularly well in an away victory against Swindon Town at the County Ground.

With last weekend's game against Orient in the league being postponed, the Railwaymen have had an extended layoff since a 2-1 defeat to Newport County, and they will be hoping to get their season back on track against a side they are unbeaten against in the last seven matches.

Walsall League Two form:

D

W

W

D

W

W

Walsall form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

W

W

Crewe Alexandra League Two form:

D

D

L

W

W

L

Crewe Alexandra form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

L

L

Team News

Given Walsall's recent performances, there is seemingly no reason for Flynn to make any changes to his lineup, with last week's scorers Danny Johnson and Tom Knowles set to lead the line again.

The Saddlers are set to continue with their successful 3-4-1-2 system, pitting Emmanuel Monthe, Donervon Daniels and Hayden White at the heart of the defence.

Isaac Hutchinson has two goals and four assists to his name this season, and is likely to continue just in front of Jack Earing and Lewis Kinsella in the midfield.

Crewe will still be without Courtney Baker-Richardson at striker, who has been suffering with a hamstring injury since the start of November, so Daniel Agyei and Bassala Sambou are set to start as a front two.

Winger Lachlan Brook was on the scoresheet last time out, and he is set to start again on the left, with Charlie Colkett also a likely feature on the opposite flank.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Evans; White, Daniels, Monthe; Bennett, Kinsella, Earing, Gordon, Hutchinson; Knowles, Johnson

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:

Okonkwo; Mellor, Offord, McDonald, Williams; Colkett, Ukakwe, Thomas, Brook; Agyei, Sambou

We say: Walsall 2-0 Crewe Alexandra

Walsall have been in fine form recently, and should be expected to run out comfortable winners against an inconsistent Crewe side on Saturday.

Danny Johnson has been in great scoring form, and has the attacking firepower to spearhead a fourth straight win in all competitions.

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