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).