Walsall v Leicester City: Match Predictions and Expected Starting XI in EFL Cup

The Welsh head coach will be looking to see an improvement on their form, using the EFL Cup as an opportunity to give other players a chance to prove themselves. Last time around, I had expected a significantly rotated side: that is not what happened when Leicester faced Tranmere Rovers in a 4-0 victory.

Leicester City Match Preview Predictions

Comparing the two sides, it is clear what ought to be expected from the King Power travellers. Walsall are in the upper group in League Two, having won three of their last five, losing two. Meanwhile, the Foxes sit in the bottom group of the Premier League, having lost two and drawn three. Regardless of what appears like poor form: drawing against fellow EPL teams is perhaps the level of Leicester.

Analysing a small amount of data, Steve Cooper's Leicester City are less creative than their opponents. Per 90, the King Power side amass 1.44 in xG+xA (the best measure of how creative a team is), and their opponents 2.86 - almost double. Now, that is not to say we should expect Walsall to create myriad killer chances: instead, what we can expect is that Leicester will give away chances at some point and will create at some point. The tie may not be this clear-cut easy win.

The only positive is that we can predict almost exactly how Walsall will set out. They will have a compact, low defensive block, composed of two lines with multiple defensive midfielders shielding space and applying pressure to our creative talent in midfield. They will likely cede the wings as trying to go one-on-one with any of our explosive wingers would be incompetent.

So, Cooper's side will have most of the possession by far. They will have a very different team, but will need to maintain tempo and consistently neat passing to not give any silly opportunities to the hosts. As has been mentioned, Walsall are a team used to winning, and used to scoring, their team know how to take a chance. Minimising their ability will be key. So, Cooper will do what we have already seen: also have two defensive midfielders. I predict a 3-1 win for the Foxes.

Predicted Starting XI

Looking at the Tranmere Rovers game as a template, I doubt there shall be too many major changes. However, I would say a coulple of changes should come.

Danny Ward will start in goal. With Jakub Stolarczyk still out injured, the cup 'keeper is the Welshman Ward. At the back, Ward will be guarded by a back four of Luke Thomas, Jannik Vestergaard, Conor Coady, and Ricardo Pereira (C). All four are unlikely to get major EPL game time, so will get their chances in the Cup for now.

In midfield, the three selected will likely still include Harry Winks - utterly critical to how Leicester City play - and either Boubakary Soumare or Hamza Choudhury in those DM positions instead of Oliver Skipp. I think Facundo Buonanotte will get the call for the AM position as Wilfred Ndidi seems to be in-favour in the league.

Upfront, Kasey McAteer, Odsonne Eduoard, and Abdul Fatawu should start. With Stephy Mavididi and Jordan Ayew favoured in the league, it would be strange to see Cooper play Ayew now as a striker in the Cup and not use the currently unfeatured Edouard, and equally peculiar should he choose not to start McAteer as he did against Tranmere Rovers.