This promises to be a lively cup tie, and one in which Wrexham can certainly be competitive, particularly given where it falls in Chelsea’s packed schedule. The Blues travelled to Villa Park in midweek and will head to Paris to face PSG in the Champions League shortly after this fixture, so we can expect significant rotation from Liam Rosenior.

Wrexham have already taken on Premier League opposition in the FA Cup this season, having faced Nottingham Forest in an earlier round. Phil Parkinson’s side found the net three times in that contest and also scored against Ipswich in the last round to set up this intriguing meeting.

The Dragons have scored 33 goals in 18 home league games this campaign (averaging 1.83 per game), which accounts for 61% of their total Championship goals this season. I expect them to field a strong XI here - it’s a massive occasion for the club and one that should see Parkinson name a formidable lineup.

Chelsea have shown flashes of quality under Rosenior, though defensive solidity has been harder to come by. The former Hull boss is still searching for greater control in matches, which helps explain why the Blues have managed just three clean sheets in 14 games since he took charge.

It’s become increasingly clear that Chelsea have a discipline problem, particularly in fixtures where the atmosphere is likely to be hostile. The youthful makeup of the squad means they’re often quick to dive into challenges and equally quick to lose their heads when appealing to the referee.

The FA Cup can sometimes offer a degree of leniency when it comes to cards, but Chelsea’s petulance still has a habit of bubbling to the surface. The Blues picked up two yellows in their 4-0 win over Hull in the previous round, proof that even in cup competitions, they remain vulnerable to cautions. Wrexham, for their part, managed to draw two bookings from Nottingham Forest during their clash in Wales earlier in the tournament.

In the Premier League this season, Chelsea have accumulated 67 yellow cards and seven reds across 29 matches - an average of 2.55 cards per game. I’d expect that average to hold here. Given that I don’t anticipate Chelsea having things all their own way, we could well see more of the indiscipline that’s become a trademark of this young Blues side.

Wrexham saw 15 match corners in their 3-3 draw with Nottingham Forest in an early round of the FA Cup, and also saw 13 corners in their 1-0 triumph over Ipswich to set up this clash. 

Wrexham managed eight corners in both of those cup ties, and welcome a Chelsea side that regularly utilises set pieces as an avenue to goal. Chelsea saw 11 match corners in their 4-0 win over Hull last time out, and saw exactly nine corners in their 5-1 win over Charlton in their first game in the FA Cup this season.

Chelsea are seeing 10.34 corners per game in the Premier League this term, a figure that drops slightly to 9.80 corners per game when looking at their away matches in the top flight. Wrexham are seeing 9.89 corners per game in the Championship this term, rising to exactly 10 per game when playing in front of their home fans.

Issa Kabore has plenty of talent, but needs to find somewhere to settle. He’s been at five different clubs over the last two seasons, spending time in Portugal, France, and in the Premier League with Luton prior to their relegation from the top flight. He’s been given a run in the side of late, and that should continue here with Kabore usually lining up as a right wing back.

Kabore has committed 16 fouls across his 18 starts in the Championship this term, working out to an average of 0.95 fouls committed per 90. Wrexham committed 10 fouls in their 3-3 draw with Nottingham Forest earlier in the campaign and can see them getting to double digits for fouls again here, given that Chelsea should dominate the ball and dictate proceedings for the majority of the encounter.

Kabore is expected to be up against Alejandro Garnacho, who put in one of his better displays in a Chelsea shirt last time out as Chelsea came away 4-1 winners over Aston Villa. Garnacho was fouled three times in that victory, and has drawn 19 fouls across his 13 appearances in the Premier League this season (1.73 per 90).

I expect this to be a very lively cup tie, and one that Wrexham will be able to be competitive in given where this tie falls in Chelsea’s current calendar. Chelsea travelled to Villa Park during the week, and will make the trip to Paris for their Champions League clash against PSG after this game so we can expect quite a bit of rotation from Liam Rosenior.

Wrexham have already taken on Premier League opposition in the FA Cup this season in the form of Nottingham Forest. Wrexham managed to score three goals in that clash, and also scored against Ipswich in the last round of the cup to set up this intriguing clash. 

Wrexham have scored 33 goals across their 18 home matches in the Championship this term (1.83 per game), with this tally accounting for 61% of the total goals that Wrexham have scored in the Championship this season. I think they’ll go fairly strong here, it’s a massive game for the club and one that should see Phil Parkinson put out a complete side. 

Chelsea have been impressive at times under Rosenior, but keeping clean sheets has not been one of their strengths. Rosenior is still trying to find a way for Chelsea to find control in games, which has led to the Blues only keeping three clean sheets across their 14 matches under his management.

It is obvious to most people that Chelsea have an issue when it comes to discipline, especially in matches where there is likely to be a lively atmosphere. The youthful nature of the squad makes them quick to jump into challenges, and lack restraint when complaining to the referee.

The FA Cup can sometimes be a dampener for cards, but Chelsea’s petulance should still be able to rise to the fore here. The Blues picked up two yellow cards in their 4-0 win over Hull in the last round of the FA Cup, showing how Chelsea are still vulnerable to cautions in the cup competitions. Wrexham managed to draw two cards from Forest on their trip to Wales earlier in the competition. 

Chelsea have collected 67 yellow cards and seven red cards across their 29 games in the Premier League this season, working out to an average of 2.55 cards per game. I’d expect that average to hold here as I don’t think Chelsea will have this game all their own way - leading to more of that ill-discipline that we’ve grown accustomed to seeing with this young Chelsea side. 

Newcastle are one of the strongest sides in the Premier League when it comes to winning corners, particularly when they play at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe’s side have utilised this avenue often since Howe arrived at the club with the delivery of Kieran Trippier lining up well with the aerial threats of Burn and Thiaw.

Newcastle are averaging 6.69 corners per game in the Premier League this season, which is the highest tally of any side in the division. This rises even further to 7.07 corners per game when playing at St James’ Park, showing how key an aspect it is to Newcastle’s overall game plan. Newcastle racked up five corners when Manchester City visited St James’ Park earlier in the season.

Manchester City are conceding 4.43 corners per game on the road in the Premier League this season, and I can see Guardiola choosing this game as an opportunity to rotate his side given that City have to play Real Madrid in the Champions League during the week having just dropped points in the title race at home to Nottingham Forest. City have conceded 4+ corners to Newcastle in each of the four head to head meetings between the sides this season. 

These two sides have already met four times this season, with three or more goals scored in three of those meetings. The most recent clash finished 2-1 to Manchester City at the Etihad, a game that produced exactly three goals and a total of 28 shots, half of which were on target.

Newcastle have seen three or more goals in each of their last five matches across all competitions, most recently claiming a 2-1 win over Manchester United at St James’ Park - despite playing the entire second half with ten men.

Across 15 home league games this season, Newcastle have been involved in 52 goals, averaging 3.46 per game. They're also expected to take this competition seriously, given it's one of the few trophies still within reach this term.

Manchester City may not share that same intensity. After dropping crucial points in the title race midweek and with a Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid on the horizon, their focus could be elsewhere. Still, three of their last five matches across all competitions have also featured three or more goals.