It’s been over a month since the Cobblers last graced the hallowed turf of Sixfields with our presence thanks to postponements but we’re back on Saturday and host a Walsall side looking to put their full focus on the league following a fine effort in the FA Cup last weekend.
The Opposition
Walsall’s 1-0 win at The Poundland Bescot Stadium back in October was their first in ten league games and halted a concerning run of form for the Saddlers. Mike Flynn has struggled early on with being edged out of games but that victory on home soil seemed to wake them from their slumber.
Flynn’s side have only lost three league games since and recorded impressive victories over the likes of Swindon and Mansfield as well as making their way to the FA Cup Fourth Round where they were narrowly beaten by Leicester City last weekend.
That cup run means that they may well be in a bit of a false position thanks to the games in hand they possess and the transfer window has been fruitful with Forest Green’s Jamille Matt and Matty Stevens, who hit over 40 goals between them last season, reunited with Matt signed permanently and Stevens drafted in on loan.
A 1-0 defeat at Salford on Tuesday on that infamous pitch wasn’t a true reflection of the talent in this side and we can expect a real battle on Saturday.
Last Time Out
The Cobblers came away from Barrow with a 2-0 victory last weekend. Walsall were beaten 1-0 at Salford on Tuesday night, just days after bowing out of the FA Cup to Leicester by the same scoreline.
One To Watch
Jamille Matt has a proven record at this level and joined up with the club where he watched his first football match as a youngster when he made the January move to the Bescot. If his colleagues can find a way to feed him properly, Matt will be a real danger on Saturday.
Team News
The Cobblers could hand debuts to new loan signings D’Margio Wright-Phillips and Tete Yengi but both will likely start from the bench. Goalkeeper Lee Burge is still out so Tom King deputises again.
Walsall’s new loanee Matty Stevens will be pushing for a start but that will depend on the status of his move back from injury. Liam Kinsella is set to miss up to four weeks with an ankle injury so he’ll definitely miss the trip to Sixfields.
Line-Up Prediction
Match Officials
Bobby Madden is in the middle this weekend. Madden has shown 53 yellow cards and 3 reds this season. James Vallance and Kevin Howick are running the lines and Declan O’Shea is fourth official.
Prediction
Another tight game in store in front of a big crowd at Sixfields on Saturday and I think we can just about get the better of a side still fitting in some big signings. 1-0 Cobblers
A Cobblers fan all his life, Danny is the most down to earth football supporter from Northampton.
While at university in Southampton, Danny kept up to date with all things NTFC from afar, sharing his thoughts on his ‘A Load Of Cobblers’ online blog.
