Non-league giant-killers Walsall welcome Premier-League Leicester City to the Bescot Stadium for a third-round FA Cup tie that pits the 14th-place League Two outfit against a Foxes side sitting mid-table in the top flight. Bookmakers have installed the visitors as odds-on favorites around 1.40, but cup history is littered with lower-league sides who refused to read the script.
Recent form
Walsall come in unbeaten in five league games, conceding just once, and have already disposed of two higher-ranked teams in earlier cup rounds. Their 3-5-2 shape, orchestrated by veteran midfielder Liam Kinsella, relies on rapid wing-backs Isaac Hutchinson and Joe Riley to spring counter-attacks for 11-goal striker Freddie Draper.
Leicester, meanwhile, have won only once in their last six away matches in all competitions. Brendan Rodgers is expected to rotate, handing starts to Patson Daka, Kelechi Iheanacho and converted full-back James Justin, but the back four will still be anchored by Wout Faes and Jonny Evans.
Key matchup
Draper’s physicality against Faes could decide the tie. The 20-year-old has won 58 % of aerial duels this season; Faes ranks in the 75th percentile for aerial success among PL centre-backs. If Walsall can isolate Draper on the Belgian, set-pieces become a legitimate route to goal.
Tactical forecast
Expect Walsall to cede possession, drop into a compact 5-3-2 block and look to hit the channels behind Leicester’s high line. Leicester will dominate the ball, but without Wilfred Ndidi’s ball-winning, transitional gaps could appear. Justin and Timothy Castagne must curb forward impulses to prevent 3-v-2 breaks.
Prediction
Leicester’s superior depth should eventually tell, yet a single set-piece or isolated error could level the playing field. Score draw after 90 minutes is alive, but the Foxes edge it in extra time.
Correct score: Walsall 1-2 Leicester City (AET).
