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

Walsall and Salford City will both be looking to bounce back from respective defeats last time out when they lock horns at the Bescot Stadium on Monday.

The hosts will also be looking to complete a league double over their visitors following a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture back in September.

Match preview

Walsall were handed a proper thrashing as they fell to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Milton Keynes Dons in Friday's encounter at Stadium MK.

Mat Sadler's men went into the half-time break trailing to Emre Tezgel's opener before second-half goals from Alex Gilbey and Joe Tomlinson sandwiched in between a Max Dean brace sealed the deal.

As a result, the Saddlers have dropped down to 11th in the League Two table and have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of playoff football.

Up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have enjoyed the better of this fixture more often than not, having won six of the previous nine editions.

Having picked up four wins and a draw from their last five home involvements, Monday's hosts are flying in front of their fans at the moment and will take some stopping here.

Salford City came away empty-handed from their clash against Sutton United, which ended in a 2-1 defeat at the Peninsula Stadium on Friday.

Karl Robinson's men were undone on the stroke of half time by Oliver Sanderson's late strike but wasted no time in levelling matters through Ryan Watson before Sanderson doubled his tally to decide the clash in the 63rd minute.

With 47 points picked up from 41 matches so far, the Ammies sit 20th in the standings, 10 points clear of the bottom three and as many behind the top 10.

Off the back of a 2-1 win in their most recent away outing, Monday's visitors have the opportunity to secure back to back victories on enemy territory for the first time since August.

Team News

David Okagbue and Donervorn Daniels both struggled in Walsall's heavy defeat against MK Dons and could be dropped to the bench for this one.

Ryan Stirk is also at risk of losing his place in the hosts' XI, having failed to impress in his first start in seven games last time out.

Despite seeing his goal drought extend to four matches against Sutton, Salford's Matt Smith has scored the second-most goals in the division and remains one to keep an eye on.

Nineteen-year-old Kelly N'Mai recently made his return to action for the visitors but still remains a considerable way off contending for a starting spot.

Walsall possible starting lineup: Smith; Allen, Okagbue, Gordon, Adegboyega; Comley, Hutchinson, Tierney; Matt, Faal, Gordon

Salford City possible starting lineup: Cairns; Vassell, Mariappa, Tilt; Luamba, McAleny, Watt, Watson, John; Smith, Morton

We say: Walsall 2-0 Salford City

Walsall retain a slim chance of making the playoffs, but there is little margin for error from here on out. We can see the home side coming away with maximum points here.

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