Newport County will be starting the new year by travelling to face 12th placed Walsall at the Bescot Stadium on Saturday.
The visitors will be heading into the match in the playoff places and will be looking to return to winning ways after losing last time out, while hosts Walsall are aiming to colletct consecutive victories.
Walsall will be returning to action for the first time since a 3-1 home victory over Colchester United on December 11 due to coronavirus related postponements.
In that match, Otis Khan scored a brace in the first half before Jack Earing netted in the second half to secure a comfortable win for Walsall.
The result continued an impressive run of form that has seen the Saddlers lose just twice in their last 12 league games, and that run has seen their playoff hopes grow stronger as they enter Sturday’s clash six points adrift of top seven.
They need to start picking up more home home wins if they are to close that gap, after winning once in their previous five league matches at the Bescot Stadium.
Meanwhile, Newport will be aiming to bounce back after suffering a 3-0 defeat away to Rochdale on December 18.
However, that defeat was only Newport’s second in their last 13 league games, and it is that promising run of results that will see James Rowberry’s side enter Saturday’s match in 6th position.
There are only four points separating them from the automatic promotion places, and they are firmly in the promotion picture and a victory at the weekend could move them closer to the top three.
However, a victory on Saturday would not be easy having failed to win in their last three outings, but they would be confident of scoring at the Bescot Stadium, having scored in six of their last seven matches.
Walsall vs Newport County head to head
The two teams have previously met on six occasions, with Newport proving to be better having taken three victories and they have drawn in three. Walsall have scored 3 goals and conceded 6. In their last five encounters, Newport have won two, away and home, and they have drawn in three.
Walsall 0-0 Newport County 20/0819
Newport County 0-0 Walsall 11/02/20
Newport County 1-1 Walsall 24/11/20
Walsall 0-1 Newport County 24/02/21
Newport County 2-1 Walsall 18/09/21
Walsall latest home form
Walsall have recently lost 2-1 to Swindon Town in the FA Cup, though they have been on a relatively good form at home. They have not lost in their last two league matches. In their last five home games, they have won one, drawn two and lost two in the process.
Walsall 1-3 Harrogate Town 13/11/21
Walsall 0-0 Rochdale 20/11/21
Walsall 1-2 Swindon Town 04/12/21
Walsall 1-1 Crawley Town 07/12/211
Walsall 3-0 Colchester United 11/12/21
Walsall latest away form
The Saddlers lost their last two away matches, to Carlisle United in the league and to Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy. However, they have been on a good run of form, having not lost in seven matches prior to that. In their last five, they have won three and lost two.
Sutton United 0-1 Walsall 30/10/21
King’s Lynn Town 0-1 Walsall 06/11/21
Port Vale 0-1 Walsall 23/11/21
Carlisle United 1-0 Walsall 27/11/21
Cambridge United 2-0 Walsall 30/11/21
Newport County latest home form
Newport County have been on a good form at home, having lost just once in their last five matches, with the being 2-1 to Swindon Town on November 20. In their last five home games, they have won three, drawn one and lost one, scoring 13 goals and conceding 7.
Newport County 2-2 Carlisle United 19/10/21
Newport County 5-0 Stevenage 30/10/21
Newport County 1-2 Swindon Town 20/11/21
Newport County 3-2 Sutton United 07/12/21
Newport County 2-1 Port Vale 11/12/21
Newport County latest away form
The Exiles have shown some irregular results away from home, having failed to record successive victorues. and have lost three of their last six away matches. They lost their last match 3-0 to Rochdale, off the back of two draws against Crawley Town and Colchester United in a 1-1 scoreline.
Swindon Town 1-0 Newport County 09/11/21
Hartlepool United 1-2 Newport County 12/11/21
Crawley Town 1-1 Newport County 23/11/21
Colchester United 1-1 Newport County 26/11/21
Rochdale 3-0 Newport County 18/12/21
Walsall news
Manny Monthe is suspended and will be missing out, while Joss Labadie and Conor Wilkinson are doubts with groin and hamstring injuries respectively.
Otis Khan will keep his place after impressing against Colchester, with Ash Taylor featuring after playing part in a backline that kept a clean sheet last time out.
Newport County news
Newport will be missing Kevin Ellison who sustained facial injuries after being attacked during a night out.
Aaron Lewis is likely to feature from after starting Newport’s last two games, with league topscorer Dominic Telford posing the goal threat for the visitors looking to add to his 14 goals this season.
Prediction and Odds
Newport have lost just one of their last five league matches and they have scored in four, which could give them confidence.
Meanwhile, Walsall come into the game off the back of a strong 3-0 victory in their home game, which could see both teams fight for a point here.
Odds: 1 2.50 X 3.01 2 2.60
Probeble outcomes
Walsall 0-0 Newport County
Walsall 1-1 Newport County
Walsall 2-2 Newport County
Walsall 1-0 Newport County
Walsall 0-1 Newport County
