Colchester seeking a much needed win with Walsall looking to make it three in a row as the two face at the Colchester Community Stadium

Both Walsall and Colchester had big hopes and expectations at the start of the season. However, with only five games left, both sides are looking down, rather than up.

In a slightly later kick-off than usual, these former League One regulars will battle it out, knowing that a loss for either could make for an extremely nervy end to the season.

Colchester United

It has been a disastrous second half of the season for Colchester, who started well. After 17 games, they were in the play-offs, but then disaster struck. Since December 15th, Colchester have only won once in 24 matches, and have racked up 13 losses.

This spell of form has seen them plummet down the table, where they sit in 22nd, just four points above Southend in the relegation zone.

It is not difficult to see why the U’s are in this position. They have conceded 59 goals, which is the second-highest in the league, and have scored only 39, which is the fourth-lowest. They seem a team that does not believe they can win, with 17 draws to their name this season.

Colchester will look to Jevani Brown and Callum Harriott to fire them to safety. Between them, they have scored 16 goals, and are by far the best attacking outlets in the side.

The depth of goals in the squad is poor. Luke Norris, who scored four goals for the U’s, left in early January to move to Stevenage, and still finds himself as Colchester’s third-highest scorer.

The U’s have experienced heads to call on in this relegation battle. Defender Tommy Smith has nearly 250 Championship appearances under his belt and midfielder Harry Pell is also vastly experienced at this level.

One player that will fight for the club, is midfielder Tom Lapslie. Lapslie came up through the team’s ranks and could be set to make his 150th league appearance. He is Colchester through and through, and will fight tooth and nail to keep them in the football league.

Walsall

Although Walsall are 12 points clear of the relegation zone, they still are keeping an eye over their shoulder knowing that they cannot rest on their laurels until they are mathematically safe.

Like their hosts, it has been a poor season, that sees them sat in 18th place. The side need to continue their improved run, if they wish to avoid their lowest ever league finish in 100 seasons in the football league.

It has been a big week for the Saddlers, who have won back to back games against play-off contenders Forest Green and Tranmere Rovers.

Something has clicked for Brian Dutton in the last few weeks, as he has guided his side to a six-game unbeaten streak. Walsall are not the type of team to score lots of goals, but Dutton has tried to make the Saddlers tough to beat, meaning they may only need one goal to pick up all three points.

The better spell of form has coincided with the return of attacking midfielder Rory Holden. The Northern Irishman has been missing since December, and his return was greatly welcomed by a side struggling to create.

Holden is a technical player, who can dictate the attack. His passing, and link-up play has made the Saddlers look much more threatening, and with Emmanuel Osadebe also improving, things are starting to pick up for the Saddlers.

Key Player

Despite having a very inconsistent season, Walsall have had Liam Kinsella working hard in midfield. He has been praised throughout the season for his energy and work rate, as well as his ability to battle in central midfield and regain possession for the Saddlers.

His type of play can sometimes go unnoticed. He isn’t the type of centre midfielder that will score regular goals, or ever assist his teammates. However, what he lacks in goals, he makes up for in protecting his defence. At just under 5’8″, Kinsella isn’t the largest in stature, but he is strong in the tackle and has a dogged style to his play.

If Kinsella can continue his form, and control the midfield for the Saddlers, then the Colchester attack will struggle. The Walsall defence is tight, but with Kinsella in front of them, it makes the job of breaking them down that bit more difficult. Colchester will need to find a way around him if they want to win the game.

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