Walsallvs.Charlton

The Saddlers are enjoying a sensational start to their League Two campaign, whilst the Addicks are struggling to reach the heights of the third tier so far.

Match preview

After five years of mediocre midtable finishes in the fourth tier of English football, Saturday's hosts Walsall are making a real fist of attempting to return to League One at the sixth time of asking, with the West Midlands side currently enjoying a nine-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

It looked as if the Saddlers' positive streak of form would end on Tuesday night when goals from Michael Cheek and Daniel Imray placed Bromley into a 2-1 lead at the Bescot, however a 94th-minute equaliser from David Okagbue meant that the hosts managed to force a share of the points.

Focusing purely on fourth tier matters, a point against Bromley earlier in the week allowed Walsall to remain in second place in the League Two table ahead of this weekend's FA Cup break, with Matt Sadler's troops sitting three points behind fellow Midlands outfit Port Vale in first.

The Saddlers will be looking for back-to-back wins against League One opposition in this season's FA Cup after producing a major upset in the first round in the Black Country on November 2, when goals from Liam Gordon and midfielder Jamie Jellis clinched a comeback success over Bolton Wanderers.

Enjoying his first consistent run of senior football, Stoke City loanee Nathan Lowe is lighting up the Bescot Stadium as the nights draw in, with the exciting 19-year-old making the net ripple on 11 occasions across 20 appearances in all competitions since switching from the bet365 Stadium.

Under the stewardship of former Luton Town and Southampton head coach Nathan Jones, Charlton Athletic were tipped by many to compete in the upper echelons of the League One table this campaign, however Saturday's visitors to the Bescot have made an inconsistent start to the term.

Following a narrow success over Bromley in the EFL Trophy prior to the international break, the Addicks have returned to action with the collection of three points from two matches over the past week, losing 2-1 at Huddersfield Town before squeezing past Burton Albion at the Pirelli Stadium.

After a goalless first period in the East Midlands, the second-half dismissal of Brewers star Charlie Webster changed the course of the contest in favour of Charlton, who snatched three points during the final 10 minutes courtesy of Conor Coventry's maiden goal for the club.

Despite maximum points on the road last time out, the Addicks are still languishing down in 12th position in the League One standings, five points behind sixth-placed Barnsley and a mammoth 12 points adrift of third-tier newcomers Wrexham in the lowest of the automatic promotion spots.

Suffering successive away defeats in League One recently, Charlton have to cast their minds back to the start of November for their most recent victory on the road, with an extra-time winner from summer arrival Gassan Ahadme proving enough to beat non-league Southend United in the first round of the FA Cup.

Walsall FA Cup form:

W

Walsall form (all competitions):

D

W

D

W

W

D

Charlton Athletic FA Cup form:

W

Charlton Athletic form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

L

W

Team News

Providing five assists in League Two so far for Walsall following his summer switch from the National League, wing-back Connor Barrett has made a seamless change to EFL football and should start this weekend once again.

Looking to hand opportunities for all the members of his first-team squad, Sadler could opt to drop some of his attacking stars to accommodate the likes of Albert Adomah and George Hall.

As is the case with leading marksman Lowe, goalkeeper Tommy Simkin is on loan at Walsall from Stoke, with the 19-year-old shot-stopper already playing 15 matches for his temporary employers.

Weakened significantly up front following the pre-season sale of Alfie May to Birmingham City, Charlton are relying on the goalscoring instincts of Matt Godden.

Facing fourth-tier opposition, Addicks boss Jones could opt to rotate his XI slightly, meaning that Terry Taylor and Zach Mitchell might earn rare starts.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Barrett, Jellis, Stirk, Earing, Gordon; Lowe, Adomah

Charlton Athletic possible starting lineup:

Mannion; Z Mitchell, A Mitchell, Gillesphey, Edwards; Coventry, Taylor, Berry, Campbell; Godden, Leaburn

We say: Walsall 2-1 Charlton Athletic

After beating third-tier Bolton in the previous round of the FA Cup, high-flying Walsall should be very confident of repeating the trick against Charlton.

Previews by email