League 2 
This Saturday, the New Lawn will play host to a contrasting clash in League Two, as struggling Forest Green Rovers welcome in-form Walsall. With just nine games remaining in the season, the stakes are high for both sides, albeit for very different reasons.
Forest Green find themselves firmly entrenched in the relegation zone, sitting precariously in 23rd place. Their recent form offers little solace, having lost their last game 1-0 to fellow strugglers Grimsby Town.
The only goal of the game came in the eighth minute, with Harvey Rodgers finding the net for the Mariners. Forest Green remain in the relegation zone, while Grimsby climb out of the bottom two.
Goals have been a particular concern, with the side boasting the league's second-worst attack, managing only 34 goals in 35 games.
In stark contrast, Walsall are enjoying a prosperous spell, currently occupying the final playoff spot in 6th place. Their last outing saw them dispatch Doncaster Rovers 3-1, their fifth win in five games.
The Saddlers took the lead in the 18th minute through Josh Gordon, who headed home a pinpoint cross from Liam Gordon. Doncaster responded well and deservedly equalized in the 62nd minute when Kyle Hurst volleyed home Jamie Sterry's inviting ball.
However, Walsall wouldn't be denied. Just five minutes later, Jack Earing restored their advantage, firing home from a corner. Former Doncaster loanee Mo Faal sealed the win in the 80th minute, nodding home another close-range header from a Taylor Allen corner.
Despite Doncaster's late push, Walsall held firm to secure all three points and climb to sixth in the table.This impressive run has propelled them into contention for promotion, a stark turnaround from their inconsistent form earlier in the season.
Historically, this fixture has been tightly contested, with Walsall holding a slight edge. In their last five meetings, Walsall have won three, drawn one, and lost once.
Notably, the most recent encounter, back in November 2023, saw Forest Green gain a surprising point at Walsall's Banks's Stadium. Both sides had chances to win, with Freddie Draper and Tom Knowles coming close for the hosts, but ultimately, a resolute defensive display from both sides ensured the points were shared.
Unsurprisingly, it is Walsall who come into this weekend’s game as favourites at the bookmakers and are currently priced @ 11/10, whilst a home win for Forest green is priced @ 21/10 and a draw is @ 5/2.
We are backing Walsall to win and under 2.5 goals because thai is a fixture which often results in low scoring games. In all of the last four meetings between the sides, there has been less than four goals and we expect Walsall to win because of their impressive form that they have heading into this weekend.