Preview: Walsall vs. Swindon Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Walsall and Swindon Town meet in the EFL Cup first round on Tuesday evening having endured contrasting starts to the new League Two campaign.

While the home side sit top with back-to-back victories, Swindon are winless and yet to score a goal ahead of their trip to the West Midlands.

Match preview

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With the club under new ownership, Walsall boss Michael Flynn has been provided with the freedom to make widespread changes to his squad.

As it stands, bringing in as many as 16 fresh faces has helped changed the mood at the West Midlands outfit after a poor 2021-22.

A 4-0 victory over Hartlepool United on the opening weekend was followed by a fine 1-0 triumph away at Flynn's former club Newport County on Saturday.

The Saddlers are one of five teams who boast an 100% record, and Flynn will recognise the importance of maintaining their current form away from fourth-tier action.

That is particularly true with fellow pacesetters Stevenage to come later in the week, but they face opponents in Swindon who will feel like they have plenty to prove.

Head coach Scott Lindsey talked up his team's performance against Salford City at the weekend, even if they were held to a goalless draw at the County Ground.

It went some way to getting over the disappointment of losing 3-0 at Harrogate Town in the previous game, but last season's playoff semi-finalists need to find something extra in the final third.

Lindsey may also be slightly concerned with his team's discipline with the Robins collecting eight yellow cards at the weekend, two of them being handed to Harry McKirdy before half time.

Team News

Flynn will consider making sweeping changes to his Walsall side but injuries to defenders may lead to 40-year-old Peter Clarke retaining his place at the back.

Second-choice goalkeeper Adam Przybek should get an opportunity between the sticks, while Timmy Abraham is in line to feature in attack.

Liam Bennett and Douglas James-Taylor could also feature at right wing-back and in the front two respectively.

Lindsey may make less changes to his team given the level of performance against Salford at the weekend.

Ricky Aguiar, Jonny Williams and Tomi Adeloye could make appearances in midfield and the final third.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Przybek; Daniels, Clarke, Monthe; Bennett, Kinsella, Comley, Allen; Earing; James-Taylor, Abraham

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Brynn; Brennan, Baudry, MacDonald; Hutton, Williams, Reed, Aguiar, Shade; Wakeling, Adeloye

We say: Walsall 1-2 Swindon Town

Both managers will likely take the opportunity to make numerous changes to their starting lineups, something which could make their league form irrelevant. With that in mind, we are backing the visitors to come through with a narrow victory.

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