Stat Attack: Walsall vs. Notts County

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 63 fixtures between the two sides, and this time, Notts hold the upper edge with 26 wins. The Saddlers have won 21 times, and 16 draws have taken place, with the last game back in November 2014 being won by them 2-1 at Meadow Lane.

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".

In the film Fever Pitch, the day Arsenal were beaten by Walsall in the League Cup Fourth Round in 1984 is mentioned by Mark Strong as Steve during a game of pool with Colin Firth as Paul.

Rob Halford from Judas Priest grew in in Walsall, while drum and bass musician and actor Goldie was born in the city.

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Tom Bradshaw is out as he is struggling with a hamstring problem.

Romaine Sawyers is back, though, after being on international duty with St Kitts and Nevis last week.

Rico Henry has returned to full training after a dislocated shoulder which had left him sidelined since February.

Roy Carroll and Paddy McCourt return to the Notts squad following international duty with Northern Ireland.

Paul Hart and Mick Halsall drew their first game in charge against Scunthorpe last weekend and may keep an unchanged side.

Ronan Murray, Curtis Thompson and Taylor McKenzie are all set to miss out with injury for relegation-threatened Notts.