Eastleigh vs Walsall - FA Cup preview: Saddlers gunning to return to winning ways

Across all competitions, Walsall are winless in five games, and have not tasted victory since a 2-1 comeback success over Bristol Rovers on October 4.

Walsall's recent wobble

The Saddlers still lead the way in League Two, albeit on goal difference, but they must dig up any seeds of doubt before they are given the opportunity to grow. 

A lack of killer instinct in the final third has proven costly for Walsall in the past two setbacks. They registered 38 shots, including 17 on target, across the defeats against Barrow and Cheltenham Town, but failed to emerge with a single point. 

In fact, Walsall have been unable to find the net in three of their last five games, scoring just twice in the process. 

It's by no means time for panic, especially considering the position Walsall have propelled themselves into, but recent results have raised concerns.

Will the FA Cup be the perfect platform to bounce back?

The FA Cup, and a pause from league action, could be exactly what they need to get back on track, and Walsall will want to avoid an upset in front of the BBC cameras. 

Walsall's form in the FA Cup has been strong in recent years. They will be aiming to progress beyond the first round for the fifth successive season, and have only fallen at this stage once in the past seven years.

35 places currently separate Walsall and Eastleigh, who sit 12th in the National League, in the footballing pyramid ahead of the first competitive meeting between both teams.

Walsall's record versus non-league opposition

Manager Scott Bartlett said an Eastleigh win would serve as a "statement" earlier in the week, as they look to become the first non-league team to beat Walsall in the FA Cup since Macclesfield Town in 2016. 

Since that defeat, Walsall overcame an arduous first round tie to beat Darlington in a replay in 2019, before edging to a narrow 1-0 win at King's Lynn Town in two years later. 

In 2023-24, the Saddlers knocked out eighth-tier Sheppey United and Alfreton Town (via a replay) during Sadler's debut campaign at the helm.

Vincent Harper's Eastleigh reunion

For Walsall left wing-back Vincent Harper, it will be a return to familiar terrain, after the Kenya international spent two seasons with Eastleigh, before stepping up into the Football League with Exeter City in 2023.

Harper returned from a minor knee issue in the Saddlers' EFL Trophy tie against Chelsea under-21s on Tuesday and Harrison Burke is "fighting to be fit" for the trip to Hampshire. 

Lewis Warrington is a major doubt after limping off at Cheltenham with an ankle issue, while Mason Hancock (knee) and Harry Williams (Achilles) remain long-term absentees.