Scunthorpe vs Walsall Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

As they often did last season, Scunthorpe hung on in there against Coventry before pouncing on the break to take all three points. After winning on the opening day, the Iron will now be looking to make a winning start to their home campaign.

In every division there is often one team who goes against the grain, the team that grinds out results without really dominating. Burnley have thrived in that sense in the Premier League over the last few seasons, while Atletico Madrid have consistently churned out results in La Liga using a similar method. Over the last couple of seasons, Scunthorpe have been that team in League One.

The opening weekend saw Scunthorpe deliver an away-day performance that was typically Scunthorpe. Nick Daws’ men didn’t dominate the contest in terms of either possession or attacking intent, nor did they dominate in terms of either shots on shots on target, though they weathered the storm, stayed in the game and were able to come out on top thanks to a couple of moments of forward quality.

If the Iron are to do well this season, then their success is likely to be built on defensive solidity. They’ll look to give little away and make life hard for teams. Such tactics can of course work, though you need to have offensive quality too. Fortunately, Nick Daws has at his disposal two players who, if forming the right on-field bond, could help Scunthorpe to achieve another lofty finish. Winger Josh Morris has the quality to both create and score goals, while new arrival Stephen Humphrys offers both quality and physicality. They’ve also just brought in Ryan Colclough, who did well for champions Wigan last season. However, losing Duane Holmes to Derby this week is a definite blow.

Walsall also came out on top last weekend, as they beat Plymouth, and while their performance was reasonable, they may need to do more against a Scunthorpe team who’re never easy to beat on their own patch.

The Saddler’s did offer a threat going forward last weekend, though it’s fair to say that Plymouth were quite open. What’s more, while they only conceded once, they didn’t look at all secure at the back. To beat Scunthorpe at Glanford Park you need to offer lots going forward, while not being susceptible to break is key. In truth, it’s difficult to say that Walsall have either of those things.

Without the mercurial Erhun Oztumer, who recently departed for pastures new, Walsall no longer have a player to come up with those moments of magic, so it’s not at all hard to see them struggling in this type of match.

All in all, after getting the job done on their travels last time out, Scunthorpe ought to really fancy their chances in front of a home crowd. If they can keep things tight against a Walsall side who’re never going to be the biggest scorers, then the hosts have the quality to get the job done. Can the same be said for the visitors?