Walsall Preview

This Saturday Notts will make the relatively short trip to the Black Country to take on Walsall at the Banks's Stadium. The Magpies have started the season badly, losing both league games against Sheffield United and Peterborough, while the Saddlers have a 100% record so far in competitive football this season, winning both their league games and their Capital One cup tie. Furthermore, Walsall haven't yet lost a competitive game at home this calendar year - their last loss was on Tuesday 13th November 2012, crashing out to Lincoln City in the FA Cup Second round.

Their defeat to Swindon Town a week before was their last loss in the league. The head to head record doesn't reveal much - the last game between Notts and Walsall was just six months ago, when the teams shared points in a 1-1 draw at the Banks Stadium. The reverse at Meadow Lane, in August 2012, saw the Saddlers win 1-0. The 2011/12 season, however, saw Notts defeat Walsall twice in the league. In addition, the West Midlands team haven't beaten Notts at home since 2006.

The player to watch for Walsall is winger James Baxendale. Having recently signed a three-year deal at the club, he is full of confidence at the moment, and his last two games saw him scoring in each. Meanwhile Craig Westcarr, the ex-Notts player, netted a brace against Tranmere in the season opener, and always relishes encounters against his old club.

Both team have relatively full squads to pick from, with Manny Smith back for Notts after his suspension. Gary Liddle, who received a straight red in the first game of the season, will have completed his suspension after today. Walsall, meanwhile, have defender Andy Taylor on the sick list, still recovering from an injury.

Even though it's early days, Notts crucially need to get points on board sooner rather than later, but Walsall are in form and may provide a stern challenge. My prediction: a 1-1 draw.

Joe Jones