Walsall vs. Chelsea: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
The game comes with the added significance of being the first game of Diego Costa's three-match ban.
The FA announced on Tuesday that Costa would be suspended until mid-October after charging him with violent conduct in Saturday's 2-0 win over bitter rivals Arsenal.
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While Costa has dominated the headlines since that game, Walsall will be hoping to capitalise and make some headlines of their own with a major cup shock.
Chelsea had to overcome lower-league opposition en route to winning the Capital One Cup last season, so Jose Mourinho is aware of the test that awaits his players.
The Chelsea boss says he is planning to field a strong team against the League One side.
"I don't see reasons to throw away any competition. A cup is a cup. A trophy is a trophy. If you lose, you lose but you don't need to throw it away," Mourinho told the Chelsea website.
"So yes, we look to the competition in a proper way, and I also think it's very important to respect opponents. I don't think opponents from the Championship, League One or League Two expect the big clubs to go and play against them without the best players.
"They want a big day for themselves. Imagine if we go to Walsall without any one of our most important players—even if they won I don't think the feeling would be the same. For Walsall players and Walsall supporters it's important the big teams show that respect and that commitment."
Match Details
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 23
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST (2:45 p.m. ET)
Venue: Bescot Stadium, Walsall
TV Info: Channel 5's Capital One Cup Highlights (11 p.m. BST, UK only), beIN Sports (repeated at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, U.S. only)
Live Stream: No live stream
Last 5 Games
Walsall currently sit second in League One, but they have won just twice in their last five matches. Chelsea's form hasn't been much better, although two wins on the bounce have boosted them this past week.
| Aug. 29 | Blackpool 0-4 Walsall |
| Sept. 1 | Morecambe 2-0 Walsall |
| Sept. 5 | Walsall 0-1 Bury |
| Sept. 12 | Walsall 2-0 Doncaster |
| Sept. 19 | Peterborough United 1-1 Walsall |
| Aug. 23 | West Bromwich Albion 2-3 Chelsea |
| Aug. 29 | Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace |
| Sept. 12 | Everton 3-1 Chelsea |
| Sept. 16 | Chelsea 4-0 Maccabi Tel-Aviv |
| Sept. 19 | Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal |
Predicted Lineups
Costa may be serving a three-match ban, but that hasn't gotten in the way of Mourinho's plans ahead of this fixture. He has already announced Radamel Falcao will make his first Chelsea start on Wednesday.
Mourinho has also confirmed John Terry will start after sitting out against Arsenal.
"Yes, I [will] play Falcao. Diego goes on the bench," said Mourinho, speaking after the Arsenal win, when he was unaware of Costa's impending suspension at the time, per the Independent.
"Sure, of course [Terry will play as well]," he added.
Walsall (4-1-4-1): Etheridge; Demetriou, O'Connor, Downing, Taylor; Chambers; Lalkovic, Mantom, Sawyers, Forde; Bradshaw
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry, Rahman; Loftus-Cheek, Mikel; Traore, Ramires, Kenedy; Falcao
Players to Watch
Radamel Falcao
Now more than ever, Chelsea need Falcao to live up to his billing. Costa is going to be missing from domestic action until Oct. 17, when Chelsea face Aston Villa, meaning it's down to Falcao and Loic Remy to lead the line.
We know what Remy is capable of in a Chelsea shirt, so now Falcao needs to start delivering, beginning with this trip to the Midlands.
If Falcao can't make an impression against League One opponents, the big concern is whether or not he can do so regularly in the Premier League.
He was once one of the most feared strikers in the world, but since he suffered a terrible knee injury 18 months ago, he hasn't been the same player.
He needs to perform.
Romaine Sawyers
Walsall's goalscorer in the 1-1 draw with Peterborough United at the weekend, Sawyers is a massive threat from midfield. He already has four goals to his name this season and will want to add to that total against Chelsea.
Sawyers is just 23 years old, but he's a big name in the Football League.
Having started out at West Bromwich Albion, he's now in his third season at the Bescot Stadium, becoming a key part of Dean Smith's plans.
With his potential, bigger things may lie ahead for Sawyers, and a good performance against Chelsea could put him in the shop window.
Prediction
Walsall 1-4 Chelsea
Odds
Home Win: 8/1
Away Win: 2/5
Draw: 7/2
First Goalscorer: Radamel Falcao (9/2)
*Odds via OddsChecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes.
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