Newport vs Walsall Preview & Prediction | 2026-27 English FA Cup | First Round
by Trystan Pugh ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Newport host Walsall on Saturday afternoon in a first round contest in the 2026-27 FA Cup.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not Televised / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Cannot be streamed
Newport vs Walsall prediction
Newport County have a strong recent FA Cup pedigree, reaching the fourth round in 2023-24, where they lost 4-2 to Manchester United, but last season’s run ended in the second round with a 3-0 defeat to Boreham Wood. They are 14th in League Two under Hayden Mullins, who was appointed on 31 July after Christian Fuchs resigned and Chris Todd had spent a month as interim. The Exiles beat Chesterfield 4-1 last week, but went out of the EFL Trophy to Crystal Palace’s under-21s on Tuesday night.
Walsall are the more consistent side. Lee Grant took over in May and the Saddlers are third in League Two having lost only once in 13 league games. They have a decent cup record too, reaching the fourth round in 2022-23 before a heavy third-round exit to Norwich last season, and they beat Newport home and away in League Two last year, winning 4-2 at Newport in November and 2-1 at home in March. Seven of those league games have been draws, which tells you they are very hard to beat but sometimes struggle to make their chances count. Their only defeat, 4-2 at home to Salford City, was followed by a 3-1 win at Colchester United.
The sides look close, and Newport do have home advantage. Walsall’s ability to stay in touch in any game makes the double chance the sensible angle, as a side that rarely loses is always dangerous in a one-off tie.
Newport vs Walsall tip: Walsall double chance (win or draw)
