Latics travel to the Bescot Stadium just off the M6 to take on Walsall in Sky Bet League Two (3pm KO).
Last time out, Harry Kewell’s men were unable to improve on their home form and fell to a 3-2 defeat to Mansfield Town at Boundary Park.
The away form has been significantly better, and the lads will be hoping to further extend the unbeaten league run on the road.
Form Guide
Walsall come into this game on the back of a three-game losing streak, with the last of those coming in a 2-0 defeat to Carlisle United in their only game of 2021 so far.
However, prior to the last three outings, Walsall had gone six games without a loss with the last four of that sequence all being victories, including a 3-2 win at Boundary Park.
The Saddlers are three points and five places ahead of Oldham going into the game but Latics know that they will leapfrog their opposition if they can return with maximum points.
The Saddlers’ last six:
- Walsall 0-2 Carlisle United
- Walsall 1-2 Scunthorpe United
- Salford City 2-0 Walsall
- Walsall 4-3 Port Vale
- Oldham Athletic 2-3 Walsall
- Walsall 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 61
Latics wins: 23
Walsall wins: 24
Draws: 14
For: 83
Against: 94
This is the second time that Latics have met Walsall this season.
When the sides met at Boundary Park, it was the Saddlers who took all three points in a match with five goals.
The visitors went in at the break with a single goal lead courtesy of a Josh Gordon penalty kick and matters were made worse not long into the second half, with Latics captain Carl Piergianni scoring an unfortunate own goal.
Kewell’s men did show a spirited fightback and goals from Dylan Fage and Piergianni saw Latics level after 68 minutes.
Unfortunately, it was Walsall who scored the decisive goal at Boundary Park, wrapping the game up in the 73rd minute.
Team News
In terms of selection Head Coach Harry Kewell may have Zak Dearnley unavailable due to injury as they await scan results.
It is expected Brice Ntambwe will return, whilst Bobby Grant has served his suspension but is unlikely to make a return to the side straight away.
Kyle Jameson continues to be part of full training as he increases his fitness to become match ready.
George Blackwood is still a couple of weeks away after a setback in his recovery.
Watch Out For
Latics will have to watch out for Elijah Adebayo.
Oldham fans will recall that it was the 23 year-old who scored the winning goal at Boundary Park to earn his side maximum points.
The forward showed good movement and a cool head in his winning strike, two very important attributes for any attacker.
That goal was the third goal in as many games for Adebayo, but he has not found the net since.
In The Dugout
Darrell Clarke is the man in the dugout for the hosts still.
Clarke took over at the Bescot Stadium in May 2019 and it his third posting in management following spells with Salisbury City and Bristol Rovers.
The 42 year-old’s most notable achievement to date is guiding Bristol Rovers from the Conference to League One with back to back promotions.
As a player, Clarke represented; Mansfield Town, Hartlepool United, Stockport City, Port Vale, Rochdale and Salisbury City.
Stadium
Well known for being that ground everyone passes in the midlands onto an awayday down South, Walsall was a trip Latics missed out on last season due to the curtailment of the campaign.
Also known as the Banks's Stadium for sponsorship purposes, the Bescot was built in 1989–90, has a capacity of 11,300 and replaced the club's previous ground, Fellows Park, which was located a quarter of a mile away and was the club's home for 94 years.
Match Officials
Referee: Christopher Pollard
The man in the middle this weekend has taken charge of 14 games so far this season, handing out 58 bookings and six red cards.
This will be his first fixture involving Oldham during two seasons in Sky Bet League Two.
Assistants: Chris Isherwood & Paul Stonier
Fourth Official: David Rock
Sky Bet Odds
Walsall have been favourites for the game at the Bescot stadium and are priced ay 23/20.
Latics are 2/1 to pick up another win on the road whilst 13/5 is the price offered for a draw.
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How To Follow The Game
Because the game is classed as behind-closed-doors, supporters can tune into a live match stream with commentary available for all subscribers on iFollow Latics, as Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown you through the action.
This match is available as a live stream for the fee of £10 by clicking here.
In the current environment, there is a greater dependence on match streaming than ever before.
As a result iFollow generates one of the only revenue streams available to clubs through these financial challenges.
Piracy - and illegal streaming of matches - does not only carry the risk of potential criminal action, but also has a greater financial impact on clubs while supporters are unable to attend matches.
The EFL's campaign would like to not only convey the message that piracy is immoral and illegal, but that it is also financially damaging club's across the divisions.
For more information on the campaign and iFollow, click here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.