Match Preview: v Norwich City (A)

Conor Smith

AI: # Walsall’s FA Cup Journey to Norwich: A David vs Goliath Encounter

In the storied tradition of the FA Cup, where dreams are made and giants can fall, Walsall Football Club prepares for their moment in the spotlight this Sunday afternoon. The League Two side will make the journey to Carrow Road, where Championship outfit Norwich City awaits in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup. This classic cup tie, scheduled for a 2:30 pm kickoff, represents more than just a match for the Saddlers—it’s an opportunity to test themselves against higher-level opposition and potentially create a magical FA Cup memory. After a disappointing start to 2026 with a 2-0 defeat to Cambridge United, and having their scheduled league fixture against Fleetwood Town postponed due to a frozen pitch, Walsall enters this cup tie with something to prove, especially having slipped from their position atop the League Two table in recent weeks.

The Saddlers arrive at this cup tie facing significant squad challenges that add another layer of intrigue to the David vs Goliath narrative. The loan market has dealt manager Mat Sadler a difficult hand, with Daniel Cox, Jid Okeke, and Ryan Finnigan all returning to their parent clubs—at least two of whom were regular starters in Sadler’s preferred lineup. The injury list further complicates matters, with Priestley Farquharson (eye) and Jamille Matt (knee) requiring late fitness tests, while long-term absentees Kemar Roofe, Harrison Burke, and Harry Williams remain unavailable. There is a silver lining in the form of new midfield signing Alex Pattison from Bradford City, described as a wise acquisition who will strengthen both attack and defense—though unfortunately for Walsall, he’s cup-tied and unable to participate in Sunday’s fixture. These personnel challenges will test Sadler’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s depth as they prepare to face higher-tier opposition.

Their hosts, Norwich City, are experiencing a season of transition and struggle in the Championship, finding themselves in the relegation zone after winning just two of their opening seventeen league games. This poor run cost manager Liam Manning his job, with former Belgian international Philippe Clement stepping in to right the ship. The change appears to be working, as the Canaries have lost just two of their last seven games under new leadership, placing them in the top ten of the Championship form guide despite their overall league position. Their most recent outing ended in a 2-0 defeat to Stoke City, with former Walsall loanee Tommy Simkin keeping a clean sheet against them. Clement brings considerable managerial experience to Norwich, having previously led Club Brugge (where he also enjoyed a distinguished playing career with over 250 appearances), Waasland-Beveren, Genk, Monaco, and Rangers before taking the helm at Carrow Road.

The history between these two clubs adds another fascinating dimension to Sunday’s cup tie. In forty-nine competitive meetings dating back to their first encounter—a Division Three South clash in September 1927 that ended in a 1-1 draw at Walsall’s Fellows Park—Norwich holds the historical advantage with twenty-one victories to Walsall’s seventeen, along with eleven draws. The last competitive meeting between the sides occurred over a decade ago, on January 26, 2010, when they faced off in League One at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium. In that encounter, Troy Deeney put the Saddlers ahead before Norwich staged a late comeback with goals from Chris Martin and Cody McDonald to secure a 2-1 victory. This historical context provides an interesting backdrop to Sunday’s match, highlighting how the clubs’ fortunes have diverged since their last meeting, with Norwich having enjoyed Premier League seasons while Walsall has remained in the lower divisions.

For Walsall fans unable to make the journey to East Anglia, the match will be available through multiple viewing options. The club’s in-house Saddlers+ service will provide live audio commentary of the game, while discovery+ will broadcast the match live for viewers in the UK. Edward Duckworth from Lancashire has been appointed as the referee, with Conall Bartlett and Alan Cresswell serving as assistant referees and Carl Brook as the fourth official. While the outcome of Sunday’s fixture won’t affect Walsall’s league position or their pursuit of promotion from League Two, it represents a valuable opportunity to gauge the team’s character and resilience during a challenging period. Cup competitions often allow lower-league sides to play with freedom away from the pressures of their league campaigns, and Walsall will hope to harness this opportunity to potentially create one of the upsets that make the FA Cup so beloved.

The magic of the FA Cup has always been built on these types of fixtures—where smaller clubs from the lower leagues get their chance to test themselves against more illustrious opponents. For Walsall players, this represents a showcase opportunity on a bigger stage, while for Norwich, it’s a potential banana skin they must navigate carefully while balancing their primary focus of Championship survival. As both teams prepare to write the next chapter in their shared history this Sunday at Carrow Road, the beautiful unpredictability of cup football means anything is possible. Walsall may be underdogs, but in the FA Cup, dreams can and do come true for those brave enough to seize their moment. Whether Mat Sadler’s patched-up squad can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but the stage is set for what promises to be an intriguing cup tie between two clubs at different points in their respective journeys.