Following the disappointment of Saturday’s goalless encounter with Franchise FC at Bescot, Walsall have the perfect chance to get back to winning ways with a nice easy winnable away trip on Tuesday night. Well, that would have been nice wouldn’t it? Instead, of course, we’ve got a visit to the runaway league leaders Luton Town, who are now seven points clear at the top.

It’s going to be decision time for Paul Merson again in terms of team selection and tactics. Mike Newell’s men will not only be wanting to maintain their lead at the top, but also have a 2 – 0 defeat at Bescot to avenge. The question for Merson is whether to play the 4 5 1 formation which was so successful at Bristol City, but which created so little against the Franchise. In view of the opposition’s goal difference at home being plus 20, scoring at a rate of nearly 2 a game and conceding less than 1 per game, I’d go with flooding the midfield!

The Saddlers should have Michael Standing available following his illness, especially as he did not figure on Saturday. There is no news on Simon Osborn’s fitness, after he limped off in the Franchise FC game, but he should hopefully be fit, especially given the influence he’s had on the last two outings. Marvin Robinson was apparently left out the last game because of a groin problem and is fifty fifty, but Mark Kinsella and Richard McKinney are definite absentees.

There is no news yet on the Luton injury front, but they had several players either returning from injury or about to for their trip to Bradford at the weekend, which resulted in yet another away win for them, so they should be close to full strength.

Luton’s home record this season is:-

Played 16, Won 11, Drawn 4, Lost 1, Goals For 30, Against 10, Points 37

Only Hull and Hartlepool have a better record.

Predictions? They don’t like you saying it, but they are big and awkward and like to hit the front men early. In Brkovic they have one of the most skilful players in the Division (and one not afraid to take a blatant dive in the box, as his winning of the penalty at Bradford on Saturday showed). Although we beat them 2 – 0 at home in one of our best performances this season, anything from this game would have to be a bonus. Despite the encouraging win at Bristol City in our last away game, I can’t see anything other than a home win.