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

Walsall will be bidding to make the perfect start to their 2025-26 League Two campaign when they welcome Swindon Town to Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The home side finished fourth in League Two last season, ultimately losing in the final of the playoffs to AFC Wimbledon, while Swindon were 12th in the fourth tier of English football last term.

Match preview

Walsall enjoyed an impressive 2024-25 League Two season, boasting a record of 21 wins, 14 draws and 11 defeats from their 46 matches to collect 77 points, which left them fourth, missing out on automatic promotion by a single point.

The Saddlers comfortably beat Chesterfield in the semi-finals of the playoffs, but they then lost 1-0 to AFC Wimbledon in the final, so the club are preparing for another season in the fourth tier of English football.

Mat Sadler's side played five friendlies over the summer, and they will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers, which followed a 3-2 defeat to Derby County.

Walsall have been incredibly busy during the summer market, with Jake Hollman, Mason Hancock and Vincent Harper among those to arrive, while there have also been a host of departures, including Liam Gordon.

The Saddlers suffered a 1-0 defeat to Swindon when the two teams last locked horns in March 2025.

Swindon, meanwhile, finished 12th in League Two last season, winning 15, drawing 17 and losing 14 of their 46 matches to collect 62 points, which left them eight points off the playoff spots.

The Robins are preparing for a fifth straight season at this level of football, with the team last competing in League One during the 2020-21 campaign.

Ian Holloway's side won all four of their pre-season friendlies, so confidence should be high in the camp, and the goals have also flowed over the summer, finding the back of the net on 16 occasions.

Swindon have also been incredibly active during the summer market, with a whole host of players both joining and leaving the club, so there will be a fresh look to their squad this term.

The Robins only won six times away from home in League Two last season, so that will need to improve this term if they are to have a realistic chance of pushing towards the playoff positions.

Walsall pre-season form:

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Swindon League Two form:

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Team News

Walsall will have debutants in their starting side on Saturday, with Hollman, Hancock and Harper all in line to feature from the first whistle against Swindon.

Harry Williams is out of the contest due to an injury problem, but the hosts are otherwise in strong shape, with head coach Sadler therefore having a number of big decisions to make.

Jamille Matt has scored 98 times in League Two during his professional career, and the experienced striker is in line to start, as he looks to move onto a century of goals at this level during the 2025-26 campaign.

As for Swindon, there will also be a number of new players in their side this weekend, including Tom Nichols, with the 31-year-old expected to feature in the final third of the field.

Billy Bodin is another of the new arrivals, and the 33-year-old is also likely to start, while there will be a spot in the XI for 24-year-old Paul Glatzel.

Swindon have not reported any fresh injury problems ahead of this weekend's contest, with head coach Holloway set to have a strong squad available for selection.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Roberts; Barrett, Flint, Hancock, Harper; Comley, Lakin, Jellis; Hollman; Matt, Gordon

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Ripley; McGregor, Wright, Munroe, Kirkman; Kilkenny, Glatzel, Clarke; Bodin, Nichols, Smith

We say: Walsall 1-1 Swindon Town

Walsall will be determined to start their campaign with a victory, but Swindon were 1-0 winners in the corresponding match last season, and we are backing them to secure a share of the spoils this weekend.

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