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

Winless in their last four games, Walsall will aim to get their season back on track when they welcome Bradford City to the Bescot Stadium on Tuesday.

The visitors, meanwhile, head into the contest in 12th place in League Two, and they will be aiming to chip into the eight-point deficit between themselves and the playoffs with a victory.

Match preview

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Walsall enter the midweek encounter off the back of three consecutive defeats, with their most recent fixture resulting in a 2-0 defeat against Exeter City.

The Saddlers trailed at half time, with Timothee Dieng striking to give the Grecians a lead and a second yellow card for Rollin Menayese in the opening moments of the second period made Walsall's task all that more difficult.

Cheick Diabate grabbed Exeter's second six minutes from time to condemn Matty Taylor's side to a successive 2-0 defeat.

If Walsall are to bounce back, a defence that has shipped the second-highest number of home goals (19) in League Two needs to improve.

Having scored first in eight of their 12 home games, Taylor will be hoping his side can draw first blood once again on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Bradford enter the midweek contest in a promising run of form having lost once in their last seven league games.

At the weekend, the Bantams played out a goalless draw away to Rochdale to leave them eight points adrift of the playoff places.

Saturday's result represented Bradford's 12th league draw of the season - no other team in League Two has drawn more games - and if Derek Adams's team are to make a playoff push, they need to start converting draws into victories.

With only three away victories to their name in League Two this term, the Bantams could also benefit from more success on the road.

Their away day blues are a result of a struggling forward line that has failed to score in six of their 13 away games, but an encounter with a Walsall side who are low on confidence presents a golden opportunity for Bradford to experience some success on their travels.

Team News

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Walsall could be without Stephen Ward, who had to be withdrawn in the first half against Exeter after picking up an injury.

If the 36-year-old is not passed fit, he will be replaced in the starting lineup by Zak Mills.

Menayese's suspension leaves the Saddlers light on centre-backs, which could mean that Hayden White moves across to partner Tom Leak, while Liam Kinsella may have to fill in at right-back.

Bradford are still missing Abo Eisa, who is currently a long-term injury absentee.

Oscar Threlkeld returned to the starting lineup on Saturday, and he is expected to keep his place for the Walsall clash.

Adams may bring Andy Cook into the side to face his former side, which would give the 31-year-old a chance to add to his eight-goal league tally.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Rushworth; Kinsella, White, Leak, Mills; Labadie, Earing, Osadebe; Shade, Kiernan, Miller

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Hornby; Threlkeld, Songo'o, O'Connor, Ridehalgh; Sutton, Watt, Walker; Gilliead, Daly, Cook

We say: Walsall 1-2 Bradford City

Bradford have emerged victorious on their last two trips to the Bescot Stadium and with Walsall entering the fixture off the back of a four-game winless run, we think that the Bantams will edge out their hosts to take all three points back to Yorkshire.