Walsall make the short distance up the M6 to take on Premiership neighbours Stoke City hoping to cause a major cup upset.
Vital Quotes:
Stoke boss Mark Hughes states he will take this competition seriously ‘I don’t give up competitions lightly,’ Hughes said. ‘We want to do well in it and we want to progress in it, so I’ll be putting out a strong team. There will be one or two changes but nothing wholesale.
‘We’ve got a few bumps and bruises and we’ve got to protect guys who played against Palace but I’ll be going strong in the team in the competition because I want to progress’
Dean Smith is relishing the tie and insists Walsall will give it their all ‘Yes, it’s Mark Hughes again – he put out a full-strength team against us in the cup last year, and I expect the same again.
‘But it’s a game we’re really looking forward to – we worked really hard to get into this round of the cup with a tough win against Port Vale.
‘It will be a game where we can play with freedom and try to get the right result. We’ll go there with a bit of confidence because of what we’ve done this season already.’
Stoke Team News:
Stoke midfielder Wilson Palacios is fit again following minor surgery and is expected to start.
Winger Brek Shea could also be involved as he steps up his fitness following his long-standing knee injury.
Former Walsall loanee, Flo Cuvelier could be in line to face his former club.
Player to watch: Kenwyne Jones
Not knowing what kind of side Mark Hughes will start with we are taking a gamble by naming Kenwyne Jones has the main threat!
He scored 4 goals in the same competition last season and given his pace and trickey, Andy Butler and Paul Downing will have problems all evening.
Walsall Team News:
Walsall boss Dean Smith has a full squad to pick from and may give Andy Taylor, Nicky Featherstone and Troy Hewitt their first outing this season.
Player to watch: Milan Lalkovic
Given his desire to play at the highest level, this is the type of game you can see Milan revelling in!
The Chelsea loanee has scored just one goal so far but his performances have warranted more.
Match Facts & Stats
Walsall haven’t defeated Stoke on their own patch since 1989.
The two sides last met in the League Cup back in 1966 which Walsall won 2-1…another Walsall win and England to win the World Cup again wouldn’t go a miss!
Ref Watch:
The man in the middle is Michael Naylor from
South Yorkshire.
He won’t be unfamiliar to many Walsall fans given he was in charge at the same stage last season when we were easily beaten by QPR.
Match Prediction:
We don’t get many chances for a cup upset so let’s dream and say a 2-1 Walsall victory!
