
League
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.