Walsall vs Oldham - preview: Saddlers aim to end 2025 at League Two summit
Two of the tightest defences in the division go toe-to-toe when Walsall host Oldham Athletic under the lights at Bescot later tonight.
League Two leaders Walsall are unbeaten in six league games - registering four clean sheets and conceding just twice in the process.
Meanwhile, Oldham have kept the most shutouts (10) and have leaked the fewest goals (17) in the fourth-tier this season.
Besides Oldham, Walsall have let in the joint-second fewest in League Two (19) along with Cambridge United, who they face at the Abbey Stadium on New Year's Day.
Matt ends league drought
Walsall beat Oldham Athletic earlier this month when Daniel Kanu scored the only goal in a 1-0 triumph at Boundary Park on December 10.
Kanu has not scored in his last two appearances, but has only ever gone three games without scoring just once in League Two since joining on loan from Charlton Athletic in the summer.
Jamille Matt ended his nine-month goal drought in the league with the match-winner against Crewe Alexandra at Bescot on Boxing Day.
The 36-year-old had netted in a 3-0 win at Eastleigh in the FA Cup in November, but had last scored a league goal in a 2-2 draw at Bromley on March 13.
Can Walsall reclaim Bescot as a fortress?
That latest success sent Walsall one-point clear at the League Two summit and Mat Sadler will be looking to finish 2025 at the top of the tree with back-to-back home wins for the first time since October 4.
Home form has threatened to undermine the Saddlers' promotion push of late, but recent signs suggest they're beginning to get back on track at Bescot.
Walsall emerged victorious in six of their opening seven league games at WS1, before falling to back-to-back home defeats against Barrow and Colchester United respectively.
Since, Sadler has guided them to seven points from a possible nine on home soil - with Walsall boasting 22 points from a possible 33 at Bescot and 21 from 11 games on the road.
Walsall injury concerns ease
The treatment room has eased in recent weeks with Jid Okeke and Aaron Pressley returning from respective back and hamstring issues during the festive period.
Mason Hancock and Harrison Burke (knee) have returned to first team training and will be working towards a return in the middle of next month.
Defender Harry Williams (Achilles) remains the only long-term absentee and is still another four-and-a-half months away from making a full recovery.
For the visitors, Mike Fondop will serve the second of his three-match suspension following his straight red card during the Latics' 3-1 pre-Christmas victory over Tranmere Rovers.
Old flames reunite
Michael Mellon, who is the son of Oldham boss Micky, scored his second hat-trick of the season during that win to extend his tally to 10 goals in all competitions this term.
Former Walsall defensive duo Donervon Daniels and Manny Monthe have been key figures at the back for Oldham, while Sadler had a short spell on loan with the Latics in 2015.
Boss Sadler also played under his Oldham counterpart Micky Mellon at Shrewsbury a decade ago.
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