Two teams currently in the mix for a League Two playoff place will meet on Thursday for their final games of 2022 when Walsall hosts Stockport County.

The home side are currently enjoying a nine-match unbeaten streak heading into this game, while the visitors will also be confident after four matches without a loss.

Match preview

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Walsall are currently two points away from a place in the playoffs, which is a goal that they will want to achieve to wrap up the year in a strong position for the second half of the season.

Michael Flynn's team put on a Boxing Day clinic for the away fans who traveled to watch them face Swindon Town as they secured a 2-1 win on the day.

They left things very late though as Manny Monthe scored the decisive winner in the 94th minute of the game to send their supporters home happy.

Walsall have scored 27 times in their first 21 games, which included one against their opponents when they last met.

The game finished 1-1 earlier this season, with Andy Williams scoring in the 88th minute to secure a last-ditch point at the weekend.

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Stockport County will now be hoping to go one further when the two teams meet again, especially since they are slightly below the hosts in the table.

The visitors are currently 11th, but a win would see them leapfrog Walsall as they continue to push toward a place in the top seven.

Paddy Madden and Will Collar were the difference makers for Dave Challinor's men on Monday when they defeated Crewe Alexandre by two goals to nil.

That result extended their unbeaten streak to four games as Stockport continue to impress toward the end of the year.

The Hatters have not been quite as consistent away from home throughout the season though, which is a weak spot they will want to improve upon if they are hoping to challenge for promotion.

Team News

Connor Wilkinson could be hoping for a place in the starting lineup this time around after appearing as a substitute for Walsall on Monday.

However, it will likely be Johnson that retains his place as the main striker due to his impressive performances throughout the campaign so far.

The visitors have been boosted by several returns to end the year as Antoni Sarcevic and Vitezslav Jaros are back fit and available for selection.

Despite that, neither man ended up starting on Boxing Day as Sarcevic appeared as a substitute while the services of Ben Hinchcliffe were chosen in goal, which could continue following a clean sheet.

Walsall possible starting lineup:
Evans; Monthe, Daniels, White; Gordon, Earing, Kinsella, Bennett; Hutchinson, Johnson, Knowles

Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Wright, Horsfall, Johnson; Southam-Hales, Collar, Croasdale, Hippolyte, Rydel; Wootton, Madden

We say: Walsall 1-1 Stockport County

Both teams come into this game with respective undefeated streaks and each will be hoping to wrap up 2022 in that manner.

Because of that, and how close things are between them in the table this could be just like their previous meeting and result in a draw.

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

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