The final League Two gameweek of the calendar year sees table-topping Walsall aiming for a sixth consecutive win as they welcome Newport County to Poundland Bescot Stadium this weekend.
The Saddlers extended their lead at the summit to nine points with an impressive 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Doncaster Rovers on Boxing Day, while the visitors remain 18th in the standings following a crushing 5-2 defeat to Bromley.
Match preview
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A 47th-minute strike from Nathan Lowe and a 79th-minute header by Harry Williams on Thursday ensured Walsall recorded their 14th victory of the 2024-25 League Two campaign.
This season has been nothing short of remarkable for Mat Sadler's side, who, after just 21 games, are only four wins away from equalling their total from the previous term, when they finished 11th.
That finish marked a notable improvement from the 2022-23 campaign, when Walsall finished 16th, with Sadler appointed as interim coach in April 2023 following Michael Flynn's dismissal and later earning the role permanently in May after overseeing three matches and securing one win.
The decision to back the 39-year-old manager has undoubtedly paid dividends, as Walsall's upward trajectory in the fourth tier continues, culminating in a stellar run this term.
December has been particularly fruitful, with Boxing Day's success securing their fifth consecutive league win and sixth victory across all competitions this month.
Looking to complete a perfect December, the hosts will be aiming for their first ever win against the visitors at the Bescot.
Success at the ground has been far from elusive in this campaign for the West Midlands side, who boast the best league home record, with eight wins from 11, and they will aim to rewrite history with another victory in front of their supporters.
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Meanwhile, Newport, who triumphed 3-0 on their last visit to the Bescot in February this year, will hope to achieve back-to-back wins at the ground for the first time in their history.
The Ironsides, though, have struggled on the road this season, highlighted by Boxing Day's crushing defeat to Bromley, leaving them with the league's fourth-worst away record having picked up just nine points from a possible 36.
Newport's defensive frailties have been glaring on their travels, conceding 22 goals in 12 games to rank as the joint-worst away defence in the division, while their attack has offered little respite, managing only 11 goals in that period.
Considering these statistics, Saturday's trip to Walsall presents a daunting challenge, especially as the hosts lead the league in both goals scored (39) and clean sheets (10).
Nelson Jardim's men head into this clash with only one win in their last eight league outings - a 6-3 triumph over MK Dons in gameweek 21.
Team News
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Walsall will enter this weekend's clash without experienced forward Joshua Gordon and 18-year-old midfielder Dylan Thomas, both sidelined as they recover from injuries.
Brandon Comley is set to miss his seventh consecutive game, while Priestley Farquharson remains out following the injury he sustained against Tranmere Rovers in August.
Head coach Sadler is unlikely to make significant changes to the Boxing Day starting lineup, but Albert Adomah, who came off the bench in that match, may return to partner Lowe, the club's leading league scorer with 11 goals, in attack.
Newport County, meanwhile, will be without co-captain Aaron Wildig, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Twenty-three-year-old midfielder Kai Whitmore made an impact off the bench in Thursday's defeat, scoring one of the consolation goals, and this could earn him a chance in the starting XI.
Bobby Kamwa, fresh off a hat-trick against MK Dons, could not replicate that impact against Bromley but did register an assist and is expected to feature in attack on Saturday.
Walsall possible starting lineup:
Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Barrett, Jellis, Stirk, Lakin, Gordon; Adomah, Lowe
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; McLoughlin, Brennan, Jameson, Glennon; Whitmore, Evans, Morris; Hudlin, Jephcott, Kamwa
We say: Walsall 2-0 Newport County
Walsall head into this encounter in high spirits, having secured six consecutive wins across all competitions while boasting the league's best attack.
Overcoming a struggling Newport side, who have suffered seven defeats in their last 11 matches across all competitions, should not pose a daunting task for the hosts.
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Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
