Walsall vs Doncaster Rovers Predictions

Walsall didn’t win last time out, though their result was a very pleasing one. By drawing away at Barnsley, the Saddlers should have ensured that confidence levels remain high ahead of this home match. Dean Keats’ men will now be looking to regain the winning thread by beating a Doncaster side that took all three points last time out.

Having struggled to do anything other than merely stay in the division last season and having lost their best player in the summer, Walsall were fancied by many to struggle during the current campaign, though they’ve so far surprised people. After seven matches, the Saddlers sit in a lofty fifth position and remain unbeaten. Manager Dean Keats has so far done an excellent job of getting the best out of what on paper appears to be a limited squad.

From an attacking point of view, Walsall have acquitted themselves well, but not too well. They have at times looked to get on the front foot, have played some decent football. However, in comparison with the teams around them in the table, they don’t look strong going forward at all. In terms of expected goals for, only five teams rank below Walsall.

Keats men have also ridden their luck defensively on occasion. There have been times – their home match against Blackpool springs to mind – where they’ve not created an awful lot and have given plenty away. Such performances suggest that it may not be long before their unbeaten run comes to an end.

Like the hosts, Doncaster also find themselves in a flattering league position. By winning each of their first two matches, Grant McCann’s men built themselves a solid platform from which to kick forward, and although they’ve had some poor results, they arrive at this juncture off the back of a win against Luton last time out.

Like Walsall, Donny haven’t been amazing going forward, but they’ve just about done enough to pick up results, while, unlike the hosts, they’ve performed respectably at the back. McCann’s men have kept a rather impressive three clean sheets this season, a total that can be bettered by just three teams, while they also rank in the top half for expected goals conceded.

As far as betting on this fixture goes, it’s no surprise to see the pair evenly matched in the win/draw/win market. Neither side appeals as massive favourites, so it appears that the market has it right. At the prices, the bet that catches the eye is ‘Both Teams to Score – NO’.

Walsall may have failed to score just once this season, but their recent attacking efforts haven’t been great. They offered very little when last on home soil, while Doncaster have often done a good job when it comes to nullifying teams. In addition, the visitors have also looked tame in recent weeks. They may have scored twice last weekend, though they weren’t overly creative, while they’ve failed to find the net in three of their last six league games.

All in all, with this being a tough one to call and with neither making any great appeal at the prices, coupled with the fact that we’re talking about two of the lesser attacking teams, backing at least one to falter in the final makes plenty of sense.