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Walsall
League Two | Gameweek 22
Feb 21, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
The Banks's Stadium
Crewe Alexandra

Walsall
0 - 0
Crewe


Knowles (45+4'), Comley (89')
FT

Offord (34'), Robertson (68'), Finnigan (90+4')

Preview: Walsall vs. Crewe Alexandra - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Walsall and Crewe Alexandra, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Walsall will want to continue their amazing recent League Two form when they host Crewe Alexandra at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Saddlers are currently in 11th place, five points clear of the visitors, who will be looking to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.


Match preview

Michael Flynn in charge of Newport County on December 1, 2018© Reuters

After a slow start to their league campaign, Walsall have really started to gather momentum in recent weeks, and they are now just three points off the playoffs, occupying 11th place.

This rise up the league table has been instigated by the Saddlers winning four and drawing two of their last six league games, a remarkable improvement after previously going 12 games without a win in all competitions earlier this season.

During this recent run, Michael Flynn's side have also progressed to the third round of the FA Cup, defeating good League One opposition in the first round, in a 2-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers, before a narrow 2-1 win against Carlisle United.

While their strike force has been solid enough in recent weeks, Walsall have their backline to thank for their purple patch, as they now have the third-best defensive record in the league and the best one outside the top three.

This acumen in defence was particularly vital last time out, as the Saddlers ran out 2-0 winners away at Doncaster Rovers courtesy of second-half strikes from Tom Knowles and top-scorer Danny Johnson.

Following their relegation from League One last season, Crewe have struggled to adapt to their new level and find themselves eight points off the playoff places, although they do have two games in hand on a lot of other teams.

The Railwaymen's main issue has been scoring goals, currently averaging fewer than one a game, having scored just 18 in their 19 League Two outings up to this point.

Manager Alex Morris stepped down from his post at the beginning of November, and his assistant Lee Bell was appointed to the vacant role, getting off to a great start with a 1-0 FA Cup win against league leaders Leyton Orient.

That was the first of three straight wins for Crewe, all of which were 1-0, displaying their defensive qualities particularly well in an away victory against Swindon Town at the County Ground.

With last weekend's game against Orient in the league being postponed, the Railwaymen have had an extended layoff since a 2-1 defeat to Newport County, and they will be hoping to get their season back on track against a side they are unbeaten against in the last seven matches.

Walsall League Two form:


Walsall form (all competitions):


Crewe Alexandra League Two form:


Crewe Alexandra form (all competitions):



Team News

Given Walsall's recent performances, there is seemingly no reason for Flynn to make any changes to his lineup, with last week's scorers Danny Johnson and Tom Knowles set to lead the line again.

The Saddlers are set to continue with their successful 3-4-1-2 system, pitting Emmanuel Monthe, Donervon Daniels and Hayden White at the heart of the defence.

Isaac Hutchinson has two goals and four assists to his name this season, and he is likely to continue just in front of Jack Earing and Lewis Kinsella in the midfield.

Crewe will still be without Courtney Baker-Richardson at striker, who has been suffering with a hamstring injury since the start of November, so Daniel Agyei and Bassala Sambou are set to start as a front two.

Winger Lachlan Brook was on the scoresheet last time out, and he is set to start again on the left, with Charlie Colkett also a likely feature on the opposite flank.

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Evans; White, Daniels, Monthe; Bennett, Kinsella, Earing, Gordon, Hutchinson; Knowles, Johnson

Crewe Alexandra possible starting lineup:
Okonkwo; Mellor, Offord, McDonald, Williams; Colkett, Ukakwe, Thomas, Brook; Agyei, Sambou


SM words green background

We say: Walsall 2-0 Crewe Alexandra

Walsall have been in fine form recently and should be expected to run out comfortable winners against an inconsistent Crewe side on Saturday.

Danny Johnson has been in great scoring form and has the attacking firepower to spearhead a fourth straight win in all competitions.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Dominic Lund

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Game History

How you voted: Walsall vs Crewe

Walsall
67.9%
Draw
21.4%
Crewe Alexandra
10.7%
28
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall20134337191843
2Port Vale2110742619737
3Doncaster RoversDoncaster2110653124736
4Crewe AlexandraCrewe209832416835
5Chesterfield2197536231334
6AFC Wimbledon20103731171433
7Notts County208752821731
8Grimsby Town21101102833-531
9MK Dons199373326730
10Gillingham209382218430
11Salford City208662219330
12Bradford CityBradford207762422228
13Bromley206952523227
14Cheltenham TownCheltenham217682930-127
15BarrowBarrow207582018226
16Newport CountyNewport207582731-426
17Colchester UnitedColchester2041152322123
18Fleetwood TownFleetwood195862425-123
19Tranmere RoversTranmere205691529-1421
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2163121732-1521
21Swindon TownSwindon2147102635-919
22Accrington StanleyAccrington204792636-1019
23Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2036111532-1715
24Morecambe2135131938-1914


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