Walsall Match Stats Preview

History of the Walsall v Carlisle United fixture

The Blues travel straight down the M6 tomorrow hoping to improve on their poor record in the West Midlands. United having a disappointing history of four wins, seven draws and 16 defeats in their 27 games at Walsall over the years. Last season in League One, in early October 2011 the two sides sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw in front of 3,831 spectators, Will Grigg scoring for the home side in the 33rd minute before Matty Robson equalised for United five minutes after half-time.

Meanwhile, in the 2010-11 season in League One in late November 2010 the Saddlers took all three points with a 2-1 victory at the Banks's Stadium as 4,256 fans looked on. United taking the lead in the 26th minute through Mike Grella only for Matt Richards to score twice from free-kicks on 37 and then 53 minutes to give the home side all three points.

In the 2009-10 campaign in League One the two sides drew 2-2 in a match played in early October 2009. Darren Byfield putting the Saddlers ahead on 33 minutes before Matty Robson equalised for the Blues just before the break with a long range shot and goal of the season contender. Steve Jones, in front of only 3,572 spectators then putting the home side back ahead after 74 minutes before Richard Keogh headed home a last minute leveller from a Graham Kavanagh cross to grab the Cumbrians a point from the game, Keogh though also being booked for his exuberant celebrations after the ball hit the back of Rene Gilmartin's net.

Meanwhile in 2008-09 in League One Carlisle lost 2-1 at the Banks's Stadium in late September 2008. United striker Danny Graham having a 25th minute penalty saved before the Saddlers went 2-0 up through Dwayne Mattis just before the break and then Jabo Ibehre on 64 minutes. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's successfully converted 83rd minute spot-kick therefore proving to be no more than a consolation goal for the Cumbrians as 4,830 fans looked on.

Walsall's biggest win at home to Carlisle has twice been by a 5-0 scoreline, one of those victories coming in the first ever old Fourth Division season in 1958-59 as 10,085 fans looked on. The other victory coming in the Third Division North in 1932-33 in front of 5,637 spectators. None of United's wins four away to the Saddlers have been by more than a one-goal margin. The last success coming in the Third Division (fourth tier) title-winning campaign of 1994-95. A brace of goals from David Reeves in a 2-1 win, as 3,610 spectators looked on, ensuring that Carlisle travelled home with all three points.

Recent encounters between the teams

For a detailed analysis of the complete head-to-head record between the two sides, click here

Recent respective form guides

Walsall have performed reasonably at home of late, winning three, drawing one and losing two of their last six matches at the Banks's Stadium. A generous eight goals have been both scored and conceded in this period. Carlisle's away form meanwhile is just on the wrong side of average in their last six games on the road, United picking up two good wins and a draw but losing three. The Cumbrians have scored seven goals in these games, but have also conceded nine.

Walsall's 17 points picked up from their ten games played sees them lie inside the top half of the npower League One table, in ninth position. Carlisle meanwhile, in 13th place, see themselves just below  the half-way mark in the division, showing a record of 12 points from their nine games contested to date.

Current overall team form

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FootyMad's prediction ...

Carlisle have an average recent record on the road in their last six games, and this could be the reason why Walsall may poach a narrow victory, according to the Madmen....... Home win

Sequence statistics

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