Bristol Rovers have been in fine form and will be looking to extend their seven-game unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two when they travel to Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium to face Walsall on Saturday.
The Saddlers have enjoyed their start to the campaign, seeing them top of the table after ten games played, with their only defeats coming against Gillingham and Grimsby as they picked up 22 points from a possible 30.
The Gas will not be short of confidence themselves after they stretched their unbeaten run in the league to seven with a 2-1 comeback win over promotion hopeful Salford City, goals from Ellis Harrison and Fabrizio Cavegn secured all three points at The Memorial Stadium.
Cavegn has scored five goals so far in his debut season for Rovers, and his pace and sharpness will be a strong test for a Walsall defence that has conceded eight goals so far this season.
Tickets...
Tickets for our trip to Walsall are available online and in-store until midday on Thursday. There will be no sales on the day.
Travel…
Depart Bristol via the M32 northbound and merge onto the M4 eastbound. At Junction 20, exit onto the M5 north toward Birmingham. Continue on the M5 for roughly 80 miles before exiting at Junction 1 onto the A41 eastbound toward West Bromwich and Walsall. Follow the A4031 and then the A4148 (Walsall Ring Road), continuing to Bescot Crescent near Junction 9 of the M6. The stadium is located just off this junction, with matchday parking available on-site.
Opposition…
Walsall are competing in their seventh successive season in Sky Bet League Two, and off the back of their near miss in the playoffs last campaign, falling to a 1-0 defeat to Wimbledon at Wembley in the final after a goal from Myles Hippolyte.
An impressive start to the season sees the Saddlers at the peak of the Sky Bet League Two table, proving themselves to be a hard side to face, securing one-goal victories over Swindon, Barnet, Salford and MK Dons in their charge to the top of the table.
Summer loan signing from Charlton Athletic, Daniel Kanu has had an instant impact upfront, bagging three goals in six appearances in his new colours; however, the defence has not been as impressive, achieving only three clean sheets in their opening ten.
It was a busy summer window for the Saddlers, bringing in 15 new players to bolster head coach Mat Sadler’s squad as they look to achieve promotion back into League One for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
Previous meetings…
Rovers have won four of their last five fixtures against Walsall, beating the Saddlers 1-0 in their previous meeting in January 2022. Luca Hoole was sent off for the Pirates at The Memorial Stadium in the first half, but Aaron Collins headed in the winner for Rovers in the 90th minute.
The Gas also won their last match away at Walsall, coming from behind to win thanks to goals from Connor Taylor and Sion Spence. Rovers' previous defeat to Walsall came at The Mem in 2018, with Kieron Morris striking a stoppage-time winner.
SmileForJoel...
Charity SmileForJoel will be doing a takeover day for the fixture between Walsall and Rovers.
SmileForJoel was set up by Suzy and Owen Richards, who tragically lost family members and loyal Saddlers fans Ade, Pat and Joel, who were killed in the 2015 Tunisian terror attacks. The support they offer ranges from time-out for families, special counselling and financial assistance to help pay for gift experiences for families who are financially impacted by their loss.
There will be bucket collectors around the ground, with any donations welcome from Gasheads!
Match Officials…
Referee: Stephen Martin
Assistant Referees: Joe Simpson, Wayne Grunnill
Fourth Official: Jonathan Maskrey
