Walsallvs.Leicester

Leicester's only win so far this season came in this competition against another League Two outfit, Tranmere Rovers, after claiming a third draw of the campaign at the weekend.

Match preview

Despite drawing at home to bottom-of-the-table Everton on Saturday, Leicester can still be content with coming away with a result given how the game went.

Everton led early on through Iliman Ndiaye, and had further first-half chances to add to the lead, but Leicester took control in the second period and Stephy Mavididi's leveller saw the spoils shared.

The Foxes are the first team to drop any points to Everton this season, but having entered the final 20 minutes still trailing, Steve Cooper will have been glad to take something.

It does suggest they will be in a relegation battle this season, even though they avoided a points deduction earlier this month, as they are still winless in five league games.

The EFL Cup represents an opportunity for them to get wins under their belt though, like they did in the last round when they made light work of Tranmere, winning 4-0.

The three-time winners have now reached the third round for the 10th season in succession, but it was at this stage where they were eliminated last season, going down to eventual winners Liverpool.

Leicester are now renowned for their recent Premier League and FA Cup successes, but it was in this competition where they enjoyed a brilliant few years towards the end of the last millennium, winning the trophy in 1997 and 2000, and reaching the final in 1999.

Walsall have nowhere near the same pedigree in the competition, but they are just one of four League Two sides to have made it this far.

It is just the second time in 22 years that Walsall have reached round three, and it has been strong form at the Bescot Stadium which has got them here, beating Exeter City and Huddersfield Town in the process.

Their only other third round appearance in over two decades also saw them drawn against Premier League opposition, when they were comfortably beaten 4-1 by Chelsea in 2015.

Leicester may not find it so easy though, as Walsall have won every game at home this season, and also claimed a 2-0 victory at Salford City at the weekend to move up into third.

Walsall EFL Cup form:

W

W

Walsall form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

W

W

Leicester City EFL Cup form:

W

Leicester City form (all competitions):

D

L

W

L

D

D

Team News

Mat Sadler named an unchanged Walsall side for the trip to Salford at the weekend, and after claiming another victory, a similar XI could line up here.

With a promotion push looking possible though, Sadler may be tempted to rotate slightly given the strength he had in reserve at the weekend.

Among his substitutes was Rico Browne, who could be handed a debut here after joining the club last week, while the experienced former Ghana international Albert Adomah may also come into the side.

Cooper picked a more attacking lineup for the clash with Everton, moving Wilfred Ndidi further back and handing Bilal El Khannouss a full debut, and the setup could be similar here but with changes in personnel.

After being left out at the weekend, Oliver Skipp is likely to come back into the side, while attacking options Abdul Fatawu, Facundo Buonanotte, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Odsonne Edouard will all hope to start.

Jamie Vardy was left out entirely for the win over Tranmere and is unlikely to play again here, with Patson Daka also out injured in attack, so Jordan Ayew may move into a central role if he is chosen once again.

Manager Cooper appears to have a cup goalkeeper system active, so Danny Ward may replace Mads Hermansen, while full-backs Ricardo Pereira and Luke Thomas may also start having both not played a minute since round two.

Walsall possible starting lineup:

Hornby; Okagbue, Williams, Browne; Barrett, Maher, Stirk, Lakin, Gordon; Lowe, Adomah

Leicester City possible starting lineup:

Ward; Ricardo Pereira, Faes, Okoli, Thomas; Skipp, Winks, Ndidi; Buonanotte, Edouard, Ayew

We say: Walsall 0-3 Leicester City

Leicester may be taking their time to readjust to the level of the Premier League, but their win in round two over Tranmere suggests they should have little trouble in seeing off another League Two side here.

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