Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Walsall
Match Time & Date:
17/02/2024
16:00
Prediction: 2-4
Mansfield
Walsall and Mansfield take on each other at Bescot Stadium on day 34 of the current League Two campaign. The Saddlers do not seem to be at their sharpest, with the team failing to win the previous five league matches. Walsall suffered a dip in form and seeing that they have little to play for in the remainder of the season, home win should not be considered. The good news for the hosts is that goalkeeper Owen Evans is back to contention after serving his one-game ban in a 1-1 draw with Crawley Town.
The Yellows, on the other hand, produced their best performance of the season in a 9-2 crushing of Harrogate, which is probably the main reason why we are going to bet on the promotion-chasing visitors. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Hiram Boateng, who scored a hat-trick in the triumph over the Sulphurites.
Highlighted Player (Lucas Akins):
After making his first football steps in Huddersfield Town youth academy, Lucas Akins made his first-team debut against Northampton Town as he came as a substitute to replace Luke Beckett. However, he made no more than five appearances for Huddersfield Town as he was sent on loan to Nortwich Victoria.
After spending two seasons at Hamilton Academical, the winger, who was born on 25 February 1989, joined Tranmere Rovers in July, 2010. Lucas Atkins scored 7 goals in 77 appearances for the club and in 2012 he signed a contract with Stevenage. The English footballer played 77 league games for the Boro and he scored 13 goals for the club.
During the 2013/2014 campaign he was on Burton Albion’s radar and at the end of the season he joined the Pirelli Stadium outfit. Lucas Atkins enjoys playing football, but dancing is considered his passion as well. His main position is right wing, but he plays as both centre forward and left winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Walsall):
Founded in 1888, Walsall are a professional club that play home matches at Bescot Stadium. The capacity of the venue is 11,300 people and it was opened in 1990. Nicknamed the Saddlers, Walsall footballers wear red shirts and white shorts when playing in front of home fans, while black is the dominant colour of their away kit.
Walsall played out a goalless draw with Aston Villa on April 9, 1888 in their first ever game, with the team recording their biggest win on March 4, 1899 against Darwen (10-0). The Saddlers suffered their biggest defeat on December 17, 1892 as they were beaten by Small Heath 12-0.
Walsall fans consider wolverhampton wanderers the club’s biggest rivals, but the Saddlers have rivalries with Shrewsbury Town and Port Vale as well as the two clubs are only 30 miles away from Walsall. Crystal Palace centre-back Scott Dann is one of the most notable footballers who played for the Bescot Stadium.
