Walsall vs Accrington Stanley. Sky Bet League One.
Poundland Bescot StadiumAttendance4,257.
Friday 28 September 2018 15:24, UK
Dean Keates is unlikely to tinker with his Walsall line-up for Accrington's Sky Bet League One visit to the Banks's Stadium.
Morgan Ferrier should lead the forward line again after putting his on-field spat with Luke Leahy behind him when netting in Saturday's 2-1 win over Oxford. That victory proved a return to form - and good behaviour - following the 4-1 drubbing by Doncaster where Ferrier and Leahy clashed on the pitch.
Both men held onto their places against Oxford however, and now manager Keates hopes emerging from that blip relatively unscathed can spur Walsall to further progress.
Newcastle United loanee Dan Barlaser will be battling to retain his starting place for an Accrington side buoyed by manager John Coleman's signing of a new four-year contract. Barlaser made his first start in Accrington's 2-1 home win over AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, and will now set about making himself a fixture in Coleman's midfield.
Scott Brown and Seamus Conneely are Coleman's regular midfield pairing, but the Stanley boss is intent on building depth in his squad to bolster their League One challenge. Luke Charman could be a doubt again following a minor thigh muscle complaint.
Walsall have won both previous league encounters against Accrington, winning 2-1 away and 3-2 at home during the 2006-07 league season.
The only other meeting between Walsall and Accrington came in August 2009, with Accy winning 2-1 in a League Cup first round clash.
Walsall lost five of their first nine League One games under Dean Keates (W2 D2) - since then, they've lost just one of their last nine (W5 D3).
Six of Accrington's last seven league goals have been scored via set pieces (two penalties, three corners, one throw-in).
Since the start of last season, Accrington striker Billy Kee has scored 10 penalties in the Football League - three more than any other player.
