Match Preview: v Leicester City (A)

Walsall will be back in action on Tuesday evening as they make the short trip to the East Midlands and the King Power Stadium where they're due to take on Leicester City in their third and final EFL Trophy, Southern Group B outing.

The Saddlers have enjoyed a varied start to the 2026/27 campaign so far. Sitting near the top of the Sky Bet League Two table having only lost one of their thirteen outings, their form in cup competitions has been a different kettle of fish.

 

Going out of the Carabao Cup in Round Two and the FA Cup in the First Round, the Saddlers opened their Jersey Mike's Trophy campaign with a 6-1 thumping at home to Stevenage before squeezing past Fulham's Under-21s 3-2, leaving them with a tough task in midweek.

 

Taking on a side that has also tasted victory and suffered defeat in this tournament, the Saddlers will need to win by at least five goals to take their place in the next round, but had for from the best warm up on Saturday afternoon.

 

Making their way to Rodney Parade, the Saddlers took on Newport County in the First Round of the FA Cup and, after opening the scoring via Andy Dallas early in the first-half, looked to be heading in the right direction.

 

But, after conceding twice in the first-half, another goal in the second forty-five sw the Exiles advance, with Walsall boss Lee Grant later admitting his side deserved to be eliminated after struggling to make an impact in the final third.

 

With the gaffer likely to ring the changes once again, we're not sure what to expect this midweek, but all we do know is a better performance is needed if progress is to be made. 

Opponents Leicester City enjoyed a much more successful weekend as they secured their place in Monday evening's FA Cup Second Round draw with a 4-2 victory over Oxford City.

Taking the lead via Louis Page, the Foxes were dragged back onto level terms via Scott Pollock's superb curling corner kick that drifted into the back of the net.

Two more goals from Emil Riis and Kamari Doyle looked to have secured Leicester's place in the next round, only for Josh Ashby to give the  National League North side hope before Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Tommy Watson came off the bench to settle the nerves.

There have been just twenty-one competitive meetings between Walsall and Leicester City, and, along with four draws, it's the Foxes who hold an overall lead, having won on fourteen occasions compared to the Saddlers' three.

Their first meeting took place at Walsall's short-term home of West Bromwich Road on Saturday, 8th December 1894, and saw Leicester Fosse emerge victorious over Walsall Town Swifts by three-goals-to-two.

The most recent clash between the Saddlers and Foxes was a Carabao Cup - Third Round clash that took place at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 24th September 2024.

After playing out a goalless game, it was the visitors who would book their place in the next round, winning the post-match penalty shoot-out 3-0.

Over the years, a number of players have represented both Walsall and Leicester City, creating an interesting link between the two Midlands clubs. Among the most notable are strikers Matty Fryatt and Steve Claridge, who both enjoyed spells at Leicester before later turning out for the Saddlers.

 

Trevor Benjamin and Julian Joachim also featured for both sides, adding further attacking talent to each club's history.

Elsewhere, players such as James Chambers, Jamie Lawrence, Ryan McGivern, Franck Moussa, Stefan Oakes, Gavin Ward, Tommy Wright, Michael Cain and Australian midfielder Steve Corica all wore the colours of Walsall and Leicester at different stages of their careers. 

The EFL confirmed that Michael Barlow, who represents the Lancashire Football Association, will take charge of the match, with Jake Topp and Matthew Sowerby being named as assistant referees, whilst Robert Evans has been selected as Fourth Official.

Tuesday evening's match is due to kick-off at 7.00pm, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+