Preview: Walsall vs. Salford City - prediction, team news, lineups

Walsall will host Salford City on Saturday in League Two and the home side sit precariously above the relegation zone in 21st place.

Salford have accumulated 12 points this season, which leaves them in 15th place, just three points away from a playoff spot.

Match preview

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Matthew Taylor's first job as a manager has not gone smoothly so far, with his Walsall side just two points above the relegation zone having accumulated nine points from their 10 League Two games.

After losing three of their first four league fixtures of the season, The Saddlers looked to have turned a corner by picking up seven points from their next three matches, but their form has since dropped off.

The Saddlers enter Saturday's fixture on the back of three league games without a win, although a brace from George Miller helped Walsall collect a point last weekend away to Exeter City.

On Tuesday, Walsall travelled to Northampton Town in the Papa John's Trophy and drew 1-1 in regular time with Emmanuel Osadebe getting on the scoresheet, and The Saddlers then picked up an extra point by winning the subsequent penalty shootout.

If Taylor's side are to move away from the relegation zone then a defence that has conceded 15 league goals this season will need to improve.

Salford were winless in their first four league games, but they have taken 10 points from their previous six fixtures to leave them in a mid-table position.

Three of those points came last weekend when goals from Brandon Thomas-Asante and Tom Elliott guided The Ammies to a 2-0 victory over Colchester United.

However, Salford were brought back down to earth in midweek, when they lost 2-0 in the Papa John's Trophy to Tranmere Rovers.

If Gary Bowyer's side are to mount a playoff push then they will need to improve on their away form, with The Ammies losing three of their four away games this season.

Salford will take confidence from the fact that they have won three of their four meetings against Walsall, including two victories last term.

Team News

Walsall will be without goalkeeper Carl Rushworth, who was called up to the England Under-21 squad.

Rushworth's absence means that Jack Rose will make his first league appearance of the season.

Miller is The Saddlers' top scorer this season and he will continue to lead the line on Saturday.

Although Thomas-Asante scored last weekend he was also sent off later in the contest, which means the 22-year-old will be suspended for Saturday's fixture.

Thomas-Asante's absence could mean that Aramide Oteh comes into the starting lineup.

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Rose; White, Menayese, Monthe, Ward; Labadie, Earing, Osadebe; Phillips, Kiernan, Miller

Salford City possible starting lineup:
King; Shephard, Eastham, Turnbull, Ndaba; Lowe, Lund, Morris, Oteh, Hunter; Elliott

We say: Walsall 1-2 Salford City

This could be a closely-fought contest, although we think Salford will improve upon their already-impressive head-to-head record and that Gary Bowyer's side will collect their second away league victory of the season.

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