Leicester City welcome Walsall to the King Power Stadium on Tuesday with kick-off at 19:00 UK time, as the two League One and League Two clubs meet in the EFL Trophy group stage.
Russell Martin's Leicester arrive following an entertaining FA Cup victory over Oxford City, although their defensive performance raised questions despite the result. The Foxes have demonstrated considerable attacking quality in cup competitions, but they have also struggled to prevent opponents from creating opportunities.
Walsall travel to Leicester looking to respond to their FA Cup elimination against Newport County. Lee Grant's side surrendered an early advantage at Rodney Parade, suffering their first away defeat of the season after a disappointing defensive performance.
Leicester secured a 4-2 victory over National League North side Oxford City, with Louis Page opening the scoring through a deflected long-range strike. Scott Pollock equalised directly from a corner before Emil Riis restored Leicester's advantage. Kamari Doyle extended their lead, only for Josh Ashby to reduce the deficit with a clever lobbed finish.
Tommy Watson eventually secured progression with a late goal, completing a difficult evening for the former FA Cup winners. Martin acknowledged his team's problems responding to Oxford's goals but praised their improved second-half performance and the impact of his substitutes.
Walsall suffered a 3-1 defeat against Newport despite Andrew Dallas giving them an early lead. Kion Etete equalised before Michael Adu-Poku put Newport ahead, with Etete completing his double after the interval.
Grant criticised his team's defending, particularly their inability to deal with direct play. Walsall nevertheless created opportunities, with Dallas threatening again and substitute Taione Sodje missing a late headed chance.
Both managers have decisions to make regarding team selection, although several players involved in their recent FA Cup fixtures are expected to feature again.
How the bookies view it
Leicester are strong favourites at 6/17, representing an implied probability of 73.9%. Walsall are available at 13/2, while the draw is priced at 9/2.
Over 2.5 goals is offered at 4/11, carrying an implied probability of 73.3%. Both teams to score is priced at 11/18, with the alternative available at 11/8.
The bookmakers anticipate an attacking contest, with Leicester strongly favoured to claim victory.
Head to head: Foxes strong record
Leicester City are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Walsall across all competitions, including a penalty shootout victory in their most recent encounter.
The clubs last met in September 2024, when their EFL Cup tie at the Bescot Stadium finished 0-0 after 90 minutes. Leicester progressed after winning the penalty shootout 3-0. Their previous competitive meeting came in January 2023, when Leicester secured a 1-0 victory away from home in the FA Cup fourth round.
Both matches were closely contested, with Walsall preventing Leicester from establishing a comfortable advantage despite facing Premier League opposition. The last two competitive encounters have therefore produced only one goal between them, with neither fixture finishing over 2.5 goals.
Player to watch: Louis Page to enhance his growing reputation
Louis Page strengthened his growing reputation with an influential performance in Leicester's FA Cup victory over Oxford City. The 18-year-old midfielder opened the scoring with his first senior goal, striking from approximately 25 yards with an effort which took a slight deflection.
Page subsequently contributed to Leicester's third goal, combining with Harry Howell before supplying the ball for Kamari Doyle to finish. His goal and assist demonstrated his ability to influence attacking play from midfield, particularly when Leicester began moving possession more quickly after half-time.
Page is expected to feature against Walsall, providing another opportunity to establish himself within Martin's first-team plans. His involvement alongside Howell and Watson offers Leicester attacking options despite the anticipated changes to their starting lineup.
Predicted lineups
Leicester City (3-4-2-1): Cornell; Gray, O'Hora, Kangasniemi; Aluko, Page, Neal, McFarlane; Howell, Watson; Bristic.
Walsall (4-2-3-1): Wooster; Ahui, Burke, Leak, Furlong; Moore, Sprangler; Simper, Dallas, Smith; Sodje.
Anything else catch the eye?
Over 3.5 goals at 19/20 is the preferred selection, with both teams' EFL Trophy scoring records providing a strong statistical argument. Leicester's opening two group fixtures have produced ten goals, averaging 5.00 per match.
Their 6-1 victory over Fulham U21 comfortably exceeded the four-goal requirement, although the subsequent 2-1 defeat against Stevenage finished below the line. Walsall's matches have been even more productive, featuring 12 goals at an average of 6.00 per fixture.
Both of their group games finished over 3.5 goals, with Stevenage scoring six against the Saddlers before Walsall responded by scoring three against Fulham U21. Across the four combined fixtures, there have been 22 goals, an average of 5.50 per match. Three of those four games have finished over 3.5, representing a 75% success rate.
Leicester's longer-term EFL Trophy record also supports an attacking approach. Their last ten appearances have produced 39 goals, with 25 scored and 14 conceded. Nine of those ten matches finished over 2.5 goals, while both teams scored in eight.
Walsall's corresponding ten-match record features 33 goals, including 17 scored and 16 conceded. Seven of those fixtures saw both teams find the net. The competition's overall figures provide further encouragement. Across 72 EFL Trophy matches, 56% have finished over 3.5 goals, with 40% producing at least five.
Leicester's attacking quality is the principal reason for supporting another high-scoring contest, particularly against opponents who have repeatedly struggled defensively. Walsall's expected stronger selection also increases their prospects of contributing, although Leicester's proposed changes introduce some uncertainty.
At 19/20, the bookmaker's implied probability is 51.3%. Three of the teams' four combined group matches have already produced at least four goals, providing the strongest evidence for backing over 3.5 goals.
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