Southampton will host Walsall in the FA Cup with both teams in good form. Although the Saints are now participating in the competition, their League Two opponents have already advanced past Sheppey United and Alfreton Town.
Preview (Southampton vs. Walsall)
In Southampton’s match against Norwich City on New Year’s Day at Carrow Road, a fifth straight Championship victory was expected. Twenty minutes from time, Adam Armstrong’s 13th goal of the second-tier campaign would seemingly decide the match. However, Joshua Sargent had other ideas, as the Canaries equalized only eight minutes after Armstrong’s first goal, preventing Russell Martin’s team from winning five straight games. Despite this setback, the team’s incredible unbeaten record is still very much alive.
After losing to Middlesbrough 2-1 on September 23, which was the Saints’ fourth consecutive loss. Martin’s team has gone on an incredible 18-game winning streak. This has helped them secure third place in the Championship table. They attempt to make their Premier League comeback at the first attempt. The Southampton supporters, who won the FA Cup in 1976, will try to avoid losing in the third round for the first time since the 2018–19 campaign, so they shouldn’t be thinking about Southampton’s quick return to the big-time this weekend.
Rose’s first goal for Grimsby, however, set off a Walsall massacre as the visitors to St. Mary’s scored six goals without a response on Saturday at Blundell Park, destroying the opposition 6-1. Sadler was left to consider a “wonderful afternoon” in which his team appeared capable of scoring “at will.” Walsall’s demolition of Grimsby was their third straight League Two victory. In all competitions, the visitors have won six of their past seven meetings. It included an FA Cup second-round replay against Alfreton that resulted in a 1-0 victory following an opening goalless draw.
Team News
Despite missing Samuel Edozie and Jan Bednarek for the second half of the match due to injuries sustained in a brutal challenge from Jack Stacey, Southampton managed to hold out for a point against Norwich City. Bednarek was taken out after the intermission and might also require a once-over before the third-round match. Martin bemoaned the absence of a red card to Stacey for the tackle. He said at the time that he was unsure of the seriousness of Edozie’s concern. Additionally out of contention are Juan Larios (unspecified), Kamaldeen Sulemana (hamstring), James Bree (hamstring), Ross Stewart (muscle), and Joe Aribo (call-up to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations).
Following their most recent league match, Walsall also had a new attacking worry as 19-year-old striker Freddie Draper, who was on loan from Lincoln City, only lasted 33 minutes before going down with an undisclosed injury. The severity of Draper’s injury is yet unknown. Walsall has already committed to losing several players, including Ryan Stirk (ankle), Ross Tierney (hamstring), Joe Riley (knee), and Aramide Oteh (hamstring). Due to a hamstring injury, Oisin McEntee may also miss the remainder of the season. Additionally, Jamille Matt’s groin and Harry Williams’ stomach injuries may require evaluation shortly.
Southampton 3-1 Walsall
For more football previews, click here
