Walsall vs Blackpool Predictions

Despite just about staying in the division last season, Walsall have made an excellent start to the new campaign. After winning four and drawing one, the Saddlers will be looking to continue moving in the right direction by beating Blackpool in front of a home crowd on Saturday afternoon.

It’s been an excellent start to the campaign for Walsall, who’re yet to taste defeat, though both results and the league table slightly mask the fact that the Saddlers have not been amazing at the back. Going forward, Dean Keats men have offered more than many people would’ve expected them to, especially since they parted company with their deadliest weapon in the summer, but their performances at the back will soon catch up with them. Unless they improve in that respect of course.

Last weekend was a fine example of how Walsall have slightly punched above their weight. Against Rochdale, Keats men didn’t create too much, while they gave a fair bit more away. However, they walked away with a 2-1 victory. Being clinical is of course an excellent trait to have, though if they continue to deliver performances like that, whereby what they give away defensively outweighs what they do in the final third, then the Saddlers will quickly exit the top half.

While Walsall have looked reasonably dodgy at the back, Blackpool haven’t been too bad in that respect. They’ve also offered a decent amount going forward. They’re showing that, even without Gary Bowyer in charge, they have the knack of staying in games, while they’re not easy to get the better of. After a pleasing away win against Doncaster in the cup last time out, the Seasiders should not be taken lightly.

In all honesty, it is the visitors who’ve offered more out of this pair. Offensively, they are closely matched, though Blackpool look a lot sturdier then their hosts. If they can go to Bescot Stadium and keep things tight at the back, especially during the early part of the game, then they’re unlikely to go without scoring opportunities at the other end, particularly on the break.

As we’ve seen over the first five match-days, Walsall are a side that will give chances away, while Blackpool are a side that tends to thrive in this sort of away match, or at least they often did last season.

With nothing much between them going forward, but Blackpool seemingly being the tougher to beat, it’s difficult to agree with the prices on offer. With the hosts clearly punching above their weights and with the betting the way that it is, everything points towards siding with the away side.