SM
Chelsea vs. West Ham: 17 hrs 57 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
W
League Two | Gameweek 46
May 8, 2023 at 12.30pm UK
The Banks's Stadium
DR

Walsall
2 - 1
Doncaster

Wilkinson (57'), Hutchinson (74')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Faulkner (84')
Biggins (70')

Preview: Walsall vs. Doncaster Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Walsall vs. Doncaster Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Monday's League Two clash between Walsall and Doncaster Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Walsall host their final game of the League Two season when they take on Doncaster Rovers at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Monday afternoon.

The Saddlers will commence proceedings 17th in the table, unable to finish any higher than 16th, while the Rovers are one place higher, having acquired three more points than their opponents.


Match preview

As the League Two season reaches its conclusion, Walsall will reflect on what will probably be considered a disappointing campaign, given that they are 23 points off the playoff places.

The Saddlers' form in the second half of the season has been particularly disappointing, acquiring 22 points in their last 25 games, the joint-second fewest of any side in the fourth tier.

Michael Flynn was sacked in mid-April following a very disappointing 3-0 defeat away at Harrogate Town, which was the former manager's seventh game without a win, but there has been little in the way of improvement since his departure.

After taking up the role of interim manager, Mat Sadler lost his first game 3-2 at home against Salford City, with the visitors scoring a 97th-minute winner, and his Walsall side were very disappointing last time out.

In a trip to 22nd-placed Crawley, the Saddlers could only pick up a 0-0 draw in a game devoid of any real quality, with neither side creating any clear-cut opportunities.

Doncaster will also look back on a disappointing campaign, with a bottom-half finish more or less guaranteed, and they could finish as low as 18th if they fail to pick up a victory this weekend.

Although their opponents have been in very poor form, it will be a tall order for Rovers to take anything from Monday's game, given that they have failed to win away from home since early February, losing four and drawing three of their last seven matches on the road.

Not only have they been disappointing on their travels, Danny Schofield's side have picked up just nine points from their last 15 matches, the second-fewest of any side in the division, although they finally managed to bring their poor run to an end in their last match.

At home against Colchester United, Doncaster emerged 1-0 winners courtesy of a first-half goal from Tommy Rowe, the midfielder's second in the league this season, although it was not the best performance, with their opponents having over double the amount of shots.

Walsall League Two form:

Doncaster Rovers League Two form:


Team News

With nothing left to play for on the final day of the season, Sadler could give a chance to some of Walsall's younger players, with Roman Maher potentially being brought in to play in an advanced midfield role, just in behind Matthew Stevens and Conor Wilkinson.

Goalkeeper Owen Evans had to be withdrawn at the break against Crawley last weekend, meaning Jackson Smith could get the nod between the sticks, with the 21-year-old in line to make just his second league appearance for the Saddlers.

As for Doncaster, Schofield may stick with the bulk of the team that finally secured a victory last time out, although it would not be a surprise to see Kyle Hurst come back in for Zain Westbrooke at right-wing

George Miller has been ruled out since the end of March, and the striker is unlikely to feature once again, meaning Todd Miller is likely to lead the line again, with the 20-year-old still in search of his first league goal for the club.

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Evans; Low, McEntee, Monthe; Riley, Knowles, Comley, Gordon, Maher; Stevens, Wilkinson

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup:
Jones; Faulkner, Williams, Seaman; Biggins, Close, Molyneux, Rowe; Westbrooke, Barlow, Miller


We say: Walsall 1-1 Doncaster Rovers

Both sides have been very poor in the second half of the season, and they have their early form to thank for the fact they have not been drawn into the relegation battle.

With both sides devoid of any real quality, we expect them to play out a draw in the final game of the League Two season.



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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__513286 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 13:11:14:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 13:11:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Walsall 'to consider Kevin Phillips appointment'
'Forbidden': Has Arteta hinted at Gunners' transfer plans ahead of deadline day?
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall28185554302459
2Doncaster RoversDoncaster29157742321052
3Notts County28148645281750
4AFC Wimbledon27146739201948
5Crewe AlexandraCrewe291212536251148
6Port Vale2813963529648
7Bradford CityBradford28138738281047
8Salford City2812883326744
9Grimsby Town29133134045-542
10Chesterfield28109943321139
11MK Dons28115124240238
12Cheltenham TownCheltenham28108103739-238
13Colchester UnitedColchester2881373329437
14Swindon TownSwindon30910114344-137
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood279993735236
16Bromley2881193637-135
17Gillingham2795132529-432
18BarrowBarrow2887132732-531
19Newport CountyNewport2786133546-1130
20Harrogate TownHarrogate3086162541-1630
21Accrington StanleyAccrington2778123445-1129
22Tranmere RoversTranmere2868142146-2526
23Morecambe2865172644-1823
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle2856172246-2421
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

'Forbidden': Has Arteta hinted at Gunners' transfer plans ahead of deadline day?

1

'H

Palmer 2:0? Chelsea 'make enquiry' for Man City prospect

2

P2

Deadline day merry-go-round: Blues defender set for 'medical' at Premier League club

3

DD

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

4

PS

Disasi deadlock? Postecoglou breaks silence on Spurs 'agreement'

5

DD

Team News: Chelsea vs. West Ham injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

6

TN

Not Amorim's day: Man United's move for leading January target 'collapses'

7

NA

Offsides, late goals, Walker debut: All the action as Inter rescue point late on

8

OL

Haaland humbled by Hale End as five-star Arsenal demolish meek Man City

9

HH

Tel decision made: Does Bayern man want Man United, Arsenal or Chelsea?

10

TD


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .