By Neil Ravenscroft
October 18 2004

Just two weeks ago, this match would have looked like a forgone conclusion. Not any more. Walsall are on a roll and Luton's unbeaten record has gone. Walsall go into the next game at home to Luton Town with renewed confidence. The Saddlers have taken 4 points from the last two games, in both cases outplaying their opponents and with th lack of goals the main worry.

In the meantime, Luton have lost their unbeated record, by losing at home to Huddersfield Town on Saturday, in what manager Mike Newell described as a poor performance.

Player Manager Paul Merson has no injury worries ahead of the game, with only long term absentee Richard Mckinney and hamstring victim Kofi Dakinah unavailable.

Opponents Luton have still to announce whether they have any worries ahead of the game.

Not that long ago, Walsall fans would have been looking forward to this game with some trepidation, but that's all changed with the sudden improvement in performances with Iffy Onoura's departure. New coach Frank Barlow will have had a chance to look at the players and will have had some input, but expect an unchanged side yet again, with Gary Birch being the main threat to any of the incumbents, with Matty Fryatt's position under threat. Merson has said, however, that he is backing his strikers to start scoring again, as they don't hide and are still getting nto the right positions.

Prediction? A home win and, if pushed for a score, 2 - 1.