The Saddlers hoping to get back on track...
OLDHAM VS. WALSALL
Boundary Park
Saturday, 9th April 2016 (Kick-off 3.00pm)
Sky Bet League One
Boundary Park
Saturday, 9th April 2016 (Kick-off 3.00pm)
Sky Bet League One
OVERVIEW:
Walsall will be hoping to put last weekend’s defeat to Sheffield United firmly behind them with a positive result against resurgent relegation battlers Oldham. The Bramall Lane reverse ended a three-match winning streak for Jon Whitney’s Saddlers, who are eight points off the automatic promotion places, albeit with two games in hand. Opponents Oldham are fourth bottom, a point from safety, although their fortunes have improved considerably since John Sheridan’s return as manager. The Latics, with just two defeats in 13, have won four of their last six home matches.
LEAGUE STANDINGS:
Oldham: 21st – P39 W9 D17 L13 F39 A50 PTS44
Walsall: 3rd – P38 W19 D11 L8 F57 A40 PTS68
LAST FIVE LEAGUE MATCHES: (Most recent match first)
Oldham: WWDLW
Walsall: LWWWL
LAST TIME OUT:
5th April – Oldham 2-0 Swindon – League One
Oldham enhanced their survival prospects with a deserved victory over Swindon, thanks to a goal in each half from Liam Kelly and Curtis Main.
Team: Coleman, Dummigan, J Wilson, Gerrard, Holmes-Dennis, Dieng, Kelly, Main, Palmer (Winchester 88’), Jones (Croft 90’), Forte (Cassidy 77’).
Subs not used: Brown, Mills, Cornell, B Wilson.
2nd April – Sheff Utd 2-0 Walsall – League One
Two goals in six first-half minutes from Chris Basham and Billy Sharp condemned Walsall to a disappointing defeat at Sheffield United.
Team: Etheridge, Demetriou, Taylor (Forde 74’), Pennington, Downing, Chambers, Mantom (Lalkovic 74’), Bradshaw, Sawyers, Henry, Flanagan (Hiwula 46’).
Subs not used: MacGillivray, Preston, Morris, Kinsella.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD:
Oldham wins: 20
Walsall wins: 21
Draws: 12
LAST MEETING:
8th August 2015 – Walsall 1-1 Oldham – League One
Substitute Jonathan Forte’s late equaliser denied Walsall an opening-day win at home to Oldham. Romaine Sawyers fired the Saddlers ahead on eight minutes with a powerful right-footed strike into the top corner. Jordan Cook and Tom Bradshaw went close to doubling Walsall’s lead but the Latics levelled seven minutes from time, when Forte volleyed home Jake Cassidy’s inviting cross.
OLDHAM MANAGER:
John Sheridan – The 51-year-old was appointed as Oldham boss for the second time in January 2016. Sheridan, who managed the Latics between 2006 and 2009, has also taken charge of Plymouth, Newport and Chesterfield, where he won the League Two title in 2010/11. The former Republic of Ireland international enjoyed long spells with Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Oldham during a 23-year playing career.
OLDHAM STAR MAN:
Liam Kelly – Oldham’s captain has scored six goals in 80 competitive appearances for the Boundary Park club since signing from Bristol City in January 2013. The 26-year-old midfielder, who has been capped once by Scotland, helped Kilmarnock win the Scottish League Cup in 2012.
VIEW FROM THE OLDHAM CAMP:
John Sheridan (on the Latics’ 2-0 victory over Swindon) – "I thought we fully deserved the result. The most important thing is getting the three points. It was a tricky game, Swindon are a good passing side and they can really hurt you. I wouldn't like to play against us at the moment. The stamina in the team is excellent and we fully deserved the result and another clean sheet.”
WALSALL TEAM NEWS:
James O’Connor (calf) could return. Jordan Cook (hamstring) and Isaiah Osbourne (knee) are both out.
REFEREE:
Ben Toner.
STAT OF THE DAY:
Walsall have lost only one of their last seven meetings against Oldham, winning four and drawing the other two.
SATURDAY’S LEAGUE ONE FIXTURES: (3.00pm unless stated)
Barnsley vs. Chesterfield
Blackpool vs. Colchester
Bradford vs. Swindon
Bury vs. Doncaster
Millwall vs. Shrewsbury
Peterborough vs. Rochdale
Port Vale vs. Crewe
Scunthorpe vs. Burton
Sheff Utd vs. Gillingham
Southend vs. Fleetwood
Wigan vs. Coventry