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September 22, 2015


Walsall v. Chelsae Preview  (Sky Sports)

Dean SmithLeague One Walsall will be eyeing a huge shock as they welcome Capital One Cup holders Chelsea to the Bescot Stadium.

Blues manager Jose Mourinho is likely to rest several first team players despite encouraging results in the last two games, against Maccabi Tel Aviv and Arsenal, following their worst ever start to a Premier League season.

Mourinho will be wary of tinkering too much after suffering a 4-2 defeat to League Two side Bradford in the FA Cup last season.

Walsall have started the season in excellent form. They currently lie in second place in League One, winning five and drawing two games in their first eight matches.

They beat Championship leaders Brighton 2-1 in the previous round and will fancy their chances of inflicting embarrassment on the Premier League holders.

Team News

Mourinho is likely to field a weakened side against the Saddlers, with a visit to Newcastle to come on Saturday before another trip to Porto three days later in the Champions League.

Diego Costa is set to miss the tie against Walsall after the striker was charged with violent conduct for his altercation with Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny at Stamford Bridge.

Thibaut Courtois remains absent with a knee problem while Willian has a muscle injury and is also out.

Walsall team news to follow

Statistics

Walsall have won 17 points from their opening eight games - winning 5 of their last seven - their best start in 15 years.

The Saddlers reached the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Final last season (losing to Bristol City), it was their first ever Wembley appearance.

The two teams have met 11 times but Walsall have won only once with Chelsea winning nine.



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