Walsall vs Leicester City

Leicester City will look to build confidence amid a dreadful Premier League start when they take on fourth-tier Walsall in the third round of the League Cup.

Walsall’s League Cup journey commenced in the first round as they ousted Exeter on penalties after a 1-1 draw before bouncing back from a halftime deficit to beat Huddersfield Town 3-2 in the previous tie. Three consecutive wins in all competitions, including the last two without conceding, can inspire confidence around the home camp, even though they must punch above their weight to reach round four. Mat Sadle’s men will take additional motivation from seeking revenge for a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat at the hands of Leicester in the 2022/23 FA Cup round three. Worryingly, that loss forms part of Walsall’s winless H2H record against the Foxes in the 21st century (D1, L4), with the Saddlers conceding multiple goals on four occasions.

In the meantime, Leicester City steamrolled past lower-league Tranmere Rovers in the previous League Cup round 4-0, but the wheels have since gone off. Steve Cooper’s side recovered from an early deficit to hold Everton to a 1-1 draw at the weekend, but it was merely enough for a third successive winless outing (D2, L1). Indeed, the Foxes have endured a five-game winless Premier League start (D3, L2), making the League Cup a perfect getaway. It would also be an opportunity for Leicester to claim their first win away from home this term (D1, L1) and perhaps find some defensive solidity after conceding precisely twice on both road trips thus far. If it’s any comfort, they found the net on each occasion.