Preview: Walsall vs. Northampton Town - prediction, team news, lineups

The Saddlers are hoping to win their first match in ten league games, whereas the visitors know a win would see them rise to the summit of the League Two table.

Match preview

The season could not have started any better for Walsall, winning 4-0 at home to Hartlepool United on the opening day and then following it up with a 1-0 win away at Newport County the following Saturday.

However, after this good start The Saddlers have seen their form nosedive, winless in their last nine and struggling to create chances.

Courtesy of their consecutive wins at the beginning of the season, Walsall currently sit in 17th place, four points clear of the dreaded relegation zone, but they will know they have to start turning draws into wins soon if they want to avoid getting dragged into a battle near the bottom of the division.

Michael Flynn's men managed to come away with a point from their trip to face Stockport County last time out courtesy of Andrew Williams's late goal, although on the balance of play they could not have complained too much with a defeat as the hosts were in control for most of the game.

One cause for optimism for The Saddlers heading into Tuesday's game is the form of striker Danny Johnson, who has six goals and an assist to his name in the league already this campaign; he will be looking to add to this tally against a Northampton side who, despite their good position, have shown some defensive frailties and have conceded more goals than Walsall at this stage.

Indeed, Northampton have started very well this season, currently second in the table and on a winning streak of five games going into Tuesday's game.

The Cobblers have striker Sam Hoskins to thank for a large part of their place in the automatic promotion places, with the Englishman bagging 11 goals so far this season, the highest of any player in the league, and the team as a whole has the best attacking record of any League Two side.

However, with Hoskins missing with an illness for the away game at Swindon on Saturday, Jon Brady's team had to find another way to win, and did just that by scooping up all three points courtesy of an 88th-minute Mitchell Pinnock goal, proving they can win without their main goalscorer available.

Northampton's last two wins in particular have showcased the resilience of the squad, trailing 1-0 in both games before fighting back to win 2-1 on each occasion, with this never-say-die attitude vital for any side serious about mounting a title challenge.

Also in Jon Brady's team's repertoire this season has been an ability to score late goals, with their 3-2 win against Colchester United on the opening day being secured by an 89th-minute Ryan Haynes goal, while in a win at Crawley Town and a draw at Crewe Alexandra they struck in injury time to decide the game.

Walsall League Two form:

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Walsall form (all competitions):

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Northampton Town League Two form:

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Northampton Town form (all competitions):

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Team News

Walsall made all five available changes in their draw against Stockport on Saturday, with Michael Flynn clearly disappointed with the performance of some of his players, so we are probably going to see some rotation from the manager.

Substitute Andrew Williams will be likely to keep his spot after coming on and scoring the equalising goal, and has made his case to his manager that he should start alongside Danny Johnson in attack on Tuesday.

Jack Earing was forced off in Walsall's last home match against Tranmere Rovers, with the midfielder set to be sidelined for 12 weeks due to an Achilles injury.

For Northampton, Hoskins, Josh Eppiah and Max Dyche all missed out with illness on Saturday, but with this thought to be nothing serious, the trio should be available for selection against The Saddlers.

The Cobblers have deployed a 4-2-3-1 system so far this season and with the team in such good form, they are unlikely to stray from this winning formula, with Saturday's match-winner Pinnock operating on the right-flank, and Hoskins back in on the opposite side.

Cobblers defender Aaron McGowan is making significant strides towards recovery after undergoing knee surgery in the summer, now back in full training but not expected to be available for a little while longer, needing minutes in behind-closed-doors matches before making his return.

Midfielder Ben Fox came off the bench against Swindon and grabbed a goal and an assist, so Jon Brady may well choose to stick with the 24-year-old in the centre of the pitch.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Evans; Daniels, Monthe, Clarke; Kinsella, Maddox, Cashman, White, Bennett; Johnson, Andrews

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:

Burge; Lintott, Sherring, Guthrie, Koiki; Pinnock, Haynes, Fox, Leonard, Hoskins; Appere

We say: Walsall 0-3 Northampton Town

With two teams on the opposite end of the form table facing off, it only makes sense to back a Northampton victory in this one.

Not only should they be good enough to secure the three points, we think they will have enough about them to win by a comfortable margin, making it six league wins on the spin.

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