By Joe Jones
Notts and Walsall’s fixture history dates back to the 1890s, but there haven’t been that many fixtures despite over a century of head-to-heads. The first game took place on the 20th January 1894 and resulted in a 2-0 win for the Magpies.
In total, there have been 62 fixtures between the two sides, and this time, Notts holds the upper edge with 26 wins. The Saddlers have won 20 times, and 16 draws have taken place.
Walsall have won on both their last two visits to Meadow Lane, ex-Magpie Febian Brandy hitting a hat-trick in last term's 5-1 victory.
Walsall were formed as Walsall Town Swifts in 1888 when two local teams, Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. merged. The newly formed team’s first match was against Aston Villa, and resulted in a draw
Two players from this early era received England caps while at the club: Alf Jones and Albert Aldridge. They remain the only Walsall players to be so honoured.
In 1896, the Swifts changed their name to Walsall FC, the name that lives on today. The club's nickname, The Saddlers, reflects Walsall's status as a traditional centre for saddle manufacture.
Walsall had Arsenal and England legend Paul Merson on their books a decade ago, as player and player-manager.
Sky Sports' Soccer AM have given Walsall the nickname "Warsaw" due to the similarity when pronouncing Walsall and Warsaw. The presenters of Soccer AM often refer to Walsall as "our friends from Poland".
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Notts have no new injury concerns as they aim to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches.
Striker Jake Cassidy and captain Hayden Mullins both missed the 1-0 win at Scunthorpe and are ruled out again.
Meanwhile, the Saddlers boss have a fully-fit squad for the first time this season, with Jordan Cook fit after being forced off with a sore hamstring in last weekend's 1-0 win over Chesterfield.
Skipper Sam Mantom played 65 minutes of the reserves' 2-1 win at Wrexham in midweek and could make his first start of the season after recovering from a knee injury.
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