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

The Saddlers will commence proceedings 17th in the table, unable to finish any higher than 16th, while the Rovers are one place higher, having acquired three more points than their opponents.

Match preview

As the League Two season reaches its conclusion, Walsall will reflect on what will probably be considered a disappointing campaign, given that they are 23 points off the playoff places.

The Saddlers' form in the second half of the season has been particularly disappointing, acquiring 22 points in their last 25 games, the joint-second fewest of any side in the fourth tier.

Michael Flynn was sacked in mid April, following a very disappointing 3-0 defeat away at Harrogate Town, which was the former manager's seventh game without a win, however there has been little in the way of improvement since his departure.

After taking up the role of interim manager, Mat Sadler lost his first game 3-2 at home against Salford City, with the visitors scoring a 97th-minute winner, and his Walsall side were very disappointing last time out.

In a trip to 22nd-placed Crawley, the Saddlers could only pick up a 0-0 draw, in a game devoid of any real quality, with neither side creating any clear-cut opportunities.

Doncaster will also look back on a disappointing campaign, with a bottom-half finish more or less guaranteed, and they could finish as low as 18th if they fail to pick up a victory this weekend.

Although their opponents have been in very poor form, it will be a tall order for Rovers to take anything from Monday's game, given that they have failed to win away from home since early February, losing four and drawing three of their last seven matches on the road.

Not only have been disappointing on their travels, Danny Schofield's side have picked up just nine points from their last 15 matches, the second-fewest of any side in the division, although they finally managed to bring their poor run to an end in their last match.

At home against Colchester United, Doncaster emerged 1-0 winners courtesy of a first-half goal from Tommy Rowe, the midfielder's second in the league this season, although it was not the best performance, with their opponents having over double the amount of shots.

Walsall League Two form:

L

D

L

L

L

D

Doncaster Rovers League Two form:

L

L

D

L

L

W

Team News

With nothing left to play for on the final day of the season, Sadler could give a chance to some of Walsall's younger players, with Roman Maher potentially being brought in to play in an advanced midfield role, just-in behind Matthew Stevens and Conor Wilkinson.

Goalkeeper Owen Evans had to be withdrawn at the break against Crawley last weekend, meaning Jackson Smith could get the nod between the sticks, with the 21-year-old in line to make just his second league appearance for the Saddlers.

As for Doncaster, Schofield may stick with the bulk of the team that finally secured a victory last time out, although it would not be a surprise to see Kyle Hurst come back in for Zain Westbrooke at right-wing

George Miller has been ruled out since the end of March, and the striker is unlikely to feature once again, meaning Todd Miller is likely to lead the line again, with the 20-year-old still in search of his first league goal for the club.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Evans; Low, McEntee, Monthe; Riley, Knowles, Comley, Gordon, Maher; Stevens, Wilkinson

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:

Jones; Faulkner, Williams, Seaman; Biggins, Close, Molyneux, Rowe; Westbrooke, Barlow, Miller

We say: Walsall 1-1 Doncaster Rovers

Both sides have been very poor in the second half of the season, and they have their early form to thank for the fact they have not been drawn into the relegation battle.

With both sides devoid of any real quality, we expect them to play out a draw in the final game of the League Two season.

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