🗞️ Preview: Bolton Wanderers vs. Walsall

Bolton Wanderers host Walsall at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday as they aim to continue their excellent form which has seen them win nine and draw two of their last 11 matches.

Pre-Match Quotes: 

Ian Evatt: “We’re fully focused on our own job and our own fixtures. A quarter of the season to go that’s a lot of points, we’ve got to take care of our own business and prepare for Walsall.

“I’d much rather have this pressure than what we had earlier in the season. Nothing good in life comes without pressure. We’re enjoying our work and performances. We want more and we’re determined to keep it going.

“We’re going to enjoy the pressure and keep trying to get results and then hopefully we can do enough to get this team out of this division.

“We need to treat every game like it’s a cup final. It’s an old cliche but we haven’t got time for off days, we have to be full tilt until the end of the season.”

James Clarke (Walsall captain): “Bolton is obviously a much different project, it will be a lot different and we’ll look at how they play and change the way we’re going to go about it.

“But we have to take confidence from Crawley. I’m gutted with the result but we have to look back at the game and see we’ve done some really good things and kept them very quiet.

“Some of the performances and battling was unbelievable, so we need to keep that spirit, more boys becoming men.”

How to Watch:

Wanderers’ supporters can watch the game against Walsall by purchasing an iFollow BWFC video match pass for just £10 you don’t have to miss a kick.

An iFollow BWFC video match pass will ensure supporters do not miss a minute of the action, with the entire match streamed through any compatible laptop, computer, tablet, or mobile device in the United Kingdom.

Team News:

Wanderers captain Antoni Sarcevic will be out of action for several weeks after picking up a hamstring injury during last weekend’s victory at Port Vale.

Otherwise, Ian Evatt has no fresh injury concerns as he aims to extend Wanderers’ unbeaten record to a 12th game.

Bookies Odds:

Bolton Wanderers win: 8/11

Draw: 5/2

Walsall win: 15/4

Correct as of 19/3/2021 (1pm) on skybet.com

Form:

Wanderers are currently at the summit of the Sky Bet League Two form table over the last ten games.

Nine wins and two draws during an eleven-game period have seen them pick up 29 points from a possible 33.

Meanwhile, the Saddlers were denied a much-needed victory against Crawley Town last time out when their opponents netted a 97th-minute leveller. From their last ten games, they have won one, lost five, and drawn four matches.

Last time out:

Walsall picked up the three points at the Banks's Stadium earlier in the season when they ran out 2-1 winners.

Wanderers took the lead through Eoin Doyle but goals from Elijah Adebayo and Rory Holden sealed the victory for the Midlanders.

Danger Man - Wes McDonald

A dynamic winger who is a real attacking threat for Walsall, McDonald has impressed during his time in the West Midlands following a move from Yeovil Town in July 2019 and so far this season, he has made 36 appearances (3 goals) at the time of writing.

Born in London, McDonald spent time in the youth ranks at Crystal Palace and Fulham before a move to Birmingham City in 2012 to continue his scholarship. Handed his first professional contract during his time at St. Andrew’s, the winger never made a senior appearance for the Blues and learned his trade whilst on loan at Nuneaton Town and Solihull Moors.

Making a permanent switch to Yeovil Town in August 2018, he spent a single season at Huish Park before signing for Walsall. Last season for the Saddlers, he managed 35 appearances (7 goals) before the season was cut short in March 2020.

Match Officials:

Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge.

Assistant Referees: David Hunt and Richard Woodward.

Fourth Official: Thomas Harty.