After two fixtures in the space of three days in the Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy respectively this week, both Walsall and Grimsby Town will be eager to get their League Two campaigns underway on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams were knocked out of the League Cup in the first round on penalties with Walsall battling hard to take Championship side Sheffield Wednesday to spot-kicks while Grimsby fell to League Two rivals Morecambe.
Coincidently, both teams also matched each other’s results in their midweek EFL Trophy openers, this time on the victorious end of their respective penalty shootouts.
Darrell Clarke’s side this time defeated their higher-league opposition in the form of Bristol Rovers and Grimsby, inspired by a record-breaking debut goal for 15-year-old Louis Boyd, scraped past EFL new boys Harrogate Town.
Team news
For Ian Holloway’s side, Max Wright is set to be out for five to six weeks with a thigh injury following Saturday’s game against Morecambe. Moreover, striker James Hanson and Town’s only senior, full-time right-back Luke Hendrie remain out for Walsall this weekend.
Clarke will be hoping to have experienced midfielders Stuart Sinclair and Danny Guthrie fit for the visit of the Mariners, with neither, risked in their midweek fixture.
Predicted line-ups
Walsall (4-3-3): Roberts; Norman, Scarr, Clarke, Jules; Kinsella, Sinclair, Guthrie; McDonald, Lavery, Gordon.
Grimsby Town (4-3-3): McKeown; Hewitt, Waterfall, Pollock, Preston; Clifton, Williams, Rose; Scannell, Green, Tilley.
Ones to watch
Walsall – Josh Gordon
The 25-year-old winger, who scored in the EFL Trophy win on Tuesday, will be looking to impress in this league opener amid transfer interest from the Championship.
According to the Daily Mail, Preston North End, Barnsley and Millwall are all interested in signing Gordon, who bagged a reputable 12 goals last season for Walsall.
Grimsby Town – Elliot Hewitt
Hewitt is the only Town player to have started both the cup fixtures to open the season, playing right midfield, right-back and centre-back as part of a three in the space of those two games.
The Welshman’s versatility has been key to covering the gaps in defence with Holloway clearly needing to bolster in that area and with Hewitt likely to start again on Saturday for the third time in a week, it will be interesting to see how he fairs fitness-wise.
Last time out
The reverse fixture of this matchup was unable to be played last season due to the COVID-19 outbreak which means these two teams will meet for the first time since August last year when Grimsby ran out 3-1 winners at Bescot Stadium.
Caolan Lavery’s opener for the hosts was drowned out by a Hanson double in the second which followed Elliot Whitehouse’s equaliser just before half-time.
Despite facing defeat in their last meeting, The Saddlers have won six of the nine meetings of the two sides in the 21st century.
How to watch
To view this game, you will have to purchase a £10 'iFollow' match pass on either of the club’s official websites.
What the managers said
Native Bristolian and Rovers fan Holloway spoke of hid admiration for former Gas manager Clarke, in his pre-match press conference.
Holloway exclaimed: “He was my hero. He got us out of non-league, and then got us promoted again.
“Then he lost his strikers, one of them to the enemy Bristol City, and they didn't replace them, and then they replaced him.
“Thanks for what you did Darrell, and now you're at Walsall! Sums football up!” (via GrimsbyLive).
Clarke himself was pleased with his sides dogged determination in their win over his former side on Tuesday night.
“I’m pleased with the result,” said Clarke. “I have three lads making their debut and they’ve only trained two or three days with us.
“Yet again the work rate and application were there. We were a little bit sloppy at times and I’m a bit disappointed with the two goals that we conceded.
“The lads gave me everything and I thought we played some good stuff at times. We mixed our game up quite well and I’m pleased to win it on pens.
“I like my teams to epitomise what I’m all about, never giving in, having great work rate and desire.” (via saddlers.co.uk).
