Stuttering league leaders Walsall will aim to rediscover their spark when they welcome Gillingham for their rescheduled matchday 16 encounter in League Two.
Both teams were originally set to meet on November 16, 2024, but the fixture was postponed due to international call-ups.
Match preview
© Imago
In a period where the second, third and fourth-placed teams have each won four of their last five outings, Walsall's title charge has lost momentum, turning what once seemed a smooth stroll to automatic promotion into a treacherous path.
Mat Sadler's men are enduring their toughest spell of the campaign, having gone from a nine-match winning streak in the league to a four-game drought comprising three defeats and a draw, with their most recent setback coming in a 2-1 loss at Colchester United.
Their slump has seen a commanding 12-point lead at the top shrink drastically, with their 59 points now leaving them just six clear of second-placed Notts County, seven ahead of Doncaster Rovers in third and nine in front of fourth-placed Bradford City.
Eager to halt their slide and reassert control at the summit, Walsall will take encouragement from their strong record against Gillingham at Bescot Stadium, where they have won each of their last three meetings.
The hosts have been formidable on their turf, claiming victory in 11 of their 15 matches in the fourth tier and amassing 36 points from a possible 45, making them the best home side in the division.
© Imago
Meanwhile, Gillingham, who played out a 1-1 draw in their last meeting with the hosts, could avoid back-to-back league defeats in this fixture for the first time since a four-match unbeaten run between August 2016 and February 2018.
However, optimism is in short supply for the Gills, whose current form is even worse than Walsall's, with the visitors enduring a nine-match drought that includes six defeats and three stalemates, despite a managerial change midway through their struggles.
The Kent-based outfit appointed John Coleman on January 5 following the dismissal of Mark Bonner, but the change has failed to inspire a turnaround, with a humbling 3-0 defeat at Barrow marking the new manager's third loss in his five winless games in charge, leaving Gillingham 19th in the standings with 32 points, nine clear of the relegation zone.
While Coleman will be hoping to secure his first victory on Tuesday, his side's poor away record does little to inspire confidence, with just 13 points collected from a possible 42, making them the sixth-worst travellers in the division.
Their struggles on the road stem largely from their inefficiency in front of goal, having found the net just eight times on their trips, leaving the Gills with the second-worst away attack in the league.
Team News
© Imago
Walsall will be without centre-back Taylor Allen due to suspension after receiving his marching orders in the 78th minute against Colchester, paving the way for Harry Williams to return to the lineup after watching from the bench last time out.
Since the departure of Nathan Lowe, manager Sadler has struggled to find a consistent partnership up front, leading to their recent lack of goals, with Albert Adomah being the only forward among his starting attackers to find the net in their last four games.
Having come off the bench in the last two outings, the Ghanaian winger could be trusted from the off, given that neither Ellis Harrison alongside Jamille Matt nor the Josh Gordon and Ethan Wheatley pairing has provided the desired impact.
For Gillingham, Conor Masterson remains sidelined after scans confirmed a hamstring injury, while Ethan Coleman faces a race against time to recover from a calf problem that could see him miss a fourth consecutive game.
Jimmy-Jay Morgan made a 14-minute cameo in their last match after previously being forced off with a foot issue, and if fully fit, he could be in contention for a starting spot on Tuesday.
Walsall possible starting lineup:
Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, McEntee; Barrett, Lakin, Stirk, Jellis, L Gordon; Matt, Adomah
Gillingham possible starting lineup:
Morris; Smith, Gale, Ehmer, Ogie; McKenzie; Little, Morgan, Agbinone, Nevitt; Gbode
We say: Walsall 2-0 Gillingham
Both teams come into this clash on a rough patch, but Walsall's strong home record makes them favourites to return to winning ways against a Gillingham side enduring a longer slump.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
