Match Pack: Saints vs Walsall
Saints turn attention to the FA Cup, as League Two outfit Walsall head to St Mary's in the third round on Saturday. Get set for the cup clash with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Saints vs Walsall
Emirates FA Cup
St Mary’s
Saturday 6th January, 3pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: David Webb
Assistants: Rob Smith, Hugh Gilroy
Fourth official: Darren Drysdale
HOW TO WATCH?
Due to FA Cup rules, the game is not available to watch live on Saints Play. Monthly and Seasonal subscribers can listen to live audio commentary via the Match Centre.
However, you can be in that number for our first home match of 2024 with tickets still available.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
On an 18-game unbeaten streak in the Sky Bet Championship, Saints will be looking to extend their run to all competitions, as League Two Walsall visit St Mary’s in the third round.
Claiming seven straight victories at home, Russell Martin will hope recent league form translates to the FA Cup in SO14, with Walsall heading to the south coast having seen off National League North outfit Alfreton Town after a replay in the second round, as well as winning their last three league outings.
TEAM NEWS
Russell Martin has confirmed Sam Edozie will miss the rest of the month with an ankle injury picked up on New Year's Day, with Kamaldeen Sulemana and James Bree likely to return at a similar time.
THE MANAGERS
Russell Martin: "I really liked it as a player and as a manager it’s great to give some players who need games. We will have a strong team out but it will be different to the last few games and I am excited for the players to get an opportunity.”
Mat Sadler: "It’s a fantastic challenge. Russell’s done a brilliant job there. They’re on a brilliant run themselves, as we are, so we know they’re going to be really tough opponents.
"We now look forward to what will be a really good game and a really good challenge."
TOP SCORERS
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 13
Ché Adams 6
Sam Edozie 5
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 5
Kamaldeen Sulemana 3
Adams, Edozie, Walker-Peters, Downes, Manning 2
Walsall
Goals:
Freddie Draper 10
Isaac Hutchinson 9
Oisin McEntee 5
Assists:
Hutchinson, Stirk 5
Oisin McEntee 4
Draper, Tierney, Daniels 3
ONES TO WATCH
Sam Amo-Ameyaw: The 17-year-old could be given another opportunity, having impressed in Premier League 2 this season with three goals and two assists.
The tricky winger made four first-team appearances in August and could earn a second cup appearance of the campaign having started in the Carabao Cup tie at Gillingham.
Isaac Hutchinson: The midfielder has been in fine goal-scoring form, grabbing a brace in last weekend's 6-1 demolition of Grimsby.
With nine goals in total, Hutchinson will need to be closely monitored in the middle of the pitch.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 19
Saints: 11
Draws: 6
Walsall: 3
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
May 2011: Saints 3-1 Walsall (Guly, Connolly, Oxlade-Chamberlain)
March 2011: Walsall 1-0 Saints
February 2010: Saints 5-1 Walsall (Barnard 2, Puncheon, Lambert, Lallana)
December 2009: Walsall 1-3 Saints (Connolly, Hammond, Lambert)
April 1963: Saints 2-0 Walsall (O’Brien, Kirby)
DID YOU KNOW?
This is the third FA Cup meeting between Saints and Walsall; Saints won a third round tie 2-1 in 1934/35, before the Saddlers beat them in the second round in 1955/56.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Not joining us at St Mary’s? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints host the Saddlers.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com with key updates and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
