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

Salford City will bid to continue their push for the League Two playoffs when they welcome Walsall to the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday.

The Saddlers, meanwhile, head into the encounter in 14th position as they seek to finish the campaign in the top half of the table.

Match preview

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Salford may sit in 11th place and eight points adrift of the playoffs, but with two games in hand, the Ammies will believe that they are firmly in the hunt for a top-seven finish.

Gary Bowyer's side enter Saturday's contest in the midst of an eight-game unbeaten run, and an impressive 5-1 win last time out ended a run of three consecutive draws.

A hat-trick from Brandon Thomas-Asante and goals from Matt Smith and Stephen Kelly secured Salford a comfortable victory over Scunthorpe United last weekend, ensuring that they carry momentum into Saturday's contest.

The Ammies next challenge will be to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered against Walsall in the reverse fixture, with Salford looking to extend their unbeaten home run to four matches.

Saturday's hosts have been in imperious form at home, losing just three of their 17 home league games, although seven of their home encounters ended all square.

Walsall also head into the weekend encounter in a confident mood after avoiding defeat in their last six matches, while one loss in their previous nine outings has lifted the Saddlers away from the relegation zone.

Eight of those nine matches have taken place under the stewardship of Michael Flynn, who has helped change the fortunes of his new side, although the Walsall boss has only picked up one win in his five away games.

The sole away victory under Flynn came against league leaders Forest Green Rovers in the new manager's first game in charge, but the following away trip resulted in a 5-0 defeat to Swindon Town, while their last three away encounters have all resulted in 1-1 draws.

Walsall were, however, denied all three points in dramatic circumstances in their 1-1 draw against Harrogate at the EnviroVent Stadium last weekend after Calum Kavanagh struck in the fourth minute of stoppage time to cancel out Conor Wilkinson's earlier spot kick.

Despite seeing a win drift away against Harrogate, Flynn will be pleased that his side have scored in seven of his eight games in charge.

Team News

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Salford have a number of injury absentees, with Luke Burgess, Conor McAleny, Liam Shephard, Ian Henderson, Ash Eastham and Josh Morris all missing for the hosts.

The Ammies will also be without the services of Ibou Touray, who is away on international duty with the Gambia.

Jordan Turnbull has missed the last two games due to suspension, but the defender is expected to return to the starting lineup for Saturday's contest.

As for the visitors, they will be forced into a goalkeeping change after Carl Rushworth was called up to the England Under-21 squad, and he will be replaced by Jack Rose.

Apart from the change in goal, Flynn is expected to keep changes elsewhere to a minimum as Walsall look to continue their fine run of results.

Wilkinson will be one of the home side's main goal threats after scoring in his last three games.

Salford City possible starting lineup:

King; Lowe, Vassell, Turnbull, Ndaba; Kelly, Lund, Watson; Thomas-Asante, Hunter, Asante

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Rose; Osadebe, White, Daniels, Monthe, Shade; Kinsella, Earing, Labadie; Miller, Wilkinson

We say: Salford City 2-2 Walsall

Walsall may be winless in their last four away trips, but three consecutive away draws suggests that they are a hard team to beat on the road, and we think with Salford seeing three of their previous four matches ending all square that Saturday's contest will result in a point apiece for either side.