FA Cup Third Round – Selected Match Previews and Latest Odds

by , 5 January 2023

The FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend, with the competition resuming at the third round stage. We highlight the games worth watching and the latest odds. With Championship and Premier League clubs joining at this stage, there are plenty of games to look forward to.

A picture of a footballer with the FA Cup branding shown

For many football fans, especially those that support teams in lower divisions, the FA Cup Third Round is one of the highlights in the footballing calendar. The world’s oldest footballing competition is famous for its upsets, and this year’s competition will likely be no different. So join us as we highlight some of the games being played.

Manchester City Vs Chelsea

A match between these two sides is a spectacle of flair and impressive attacking football. They have featured against each other eight times in the FA Cup, the Citizens winning four and the Blues winning three, including the last two; the 2020-21 semi-final (1 – 0) and the 2015-16 fifth round (5 – 1).

Chelsea plays twice a week with Manchester City, who are intensively entangled in the Premier League title race and will likely field a stronger squad in the domestic league. However, Pep Guardiola’s richness in depth has allowed him to compete in all competitions. However, this season, he seems to be out of depth, especially since he lost pace in the Premier League race to let Arsenal stay eight points clear before they play Chelsea tonight, which means they will have to prioritise their objectives.

Erling Haaland has been inspirational for the Citizens of this campaign. We expect him to be a massive influence for Manchester City , especially in the big games against the top sides. The Norwegian numbers are unreal scoring twenty-seven goals in twenty games could be the match-winner in this encounter.

Chelsea has lost five of their last six games at the Etihad Stadium in all competitions (winning one).

The London side was knockout out by Manchester City in the League Cup, losing 2 – 0. The same team could eliminate them in both domestic knockout competitions after losing the finals of both the FA Cup and the League Cup to Liverpool last season.

They have a rich history in the third round as they have progressed from all their twenty-four encounters dating back to the 1988-99 edition, which is a joint highest record for progression at this stage, tied with Manchester United.

Since Pep Guardiola took over Manchester City, only Chelsea (twenty-seven) has won more FA Cup games than Manchester City (twenty-four). Thus, we will be witnessing a game between two of the most decorated teams in the competition in recent times.

Chelsea needs this win more to ease the pressure on their manager Graham Potter, and a title will go a long way to win him favour with the fans and the owners. Mathematically, they could still be in the Premier League race but sit tenth, nineteen points adrift of the league leaders; they have to bank on the knockout competition if they want to secure silverware this campaign.

Latest odds: – bet365 have Manchester City at 1/2, the draw 7/2 and Chelsea at 5/1.

Manchester United Vs Everton

Manchester City and Everton will play in their thirteenth encounter, with each side progressing six times each.

The hosts have been eliminated just twice from their thirty-seven FA Cup third-round ties, with both defeats coming at Old Trafford against Leeds (2009-10) and Swansea (2013-14). Manchester United are in red-hot form, with just one defeat in their last sixteen games (winning thirteen, drawing two). They will be happy to welcome Everton to Old Trafford, having won their previous seven games here and conceding just once.

The Red Devils are the second most successful team in the competition, having won it twelve times; they will be hoping to end this campaign’s six-year drought.

Everton has five titles to their name and hopes to upset another Manchester side after taking a point from Manchester City at the Etihad.

Frank Lampard’s side has one win in their last eleven games (drawing two, losing eight) in a run that started with a 2 – 1 loss to their host of the weekend. However, pressure is mounting on the manager and the team to deliver after being battered 4 – 1 by Brighton in midweek.

The Toffees have won just one of their last twenty-nine away games against Manchester United in all competitions (1 – 0 win in December 2013) and will play in their first away game in the FA Cup since the 1 – 0 loss in the 1982-83 quarter-final. Lampard has never lost an FA Cup tie against United, winning twice, drawing one as a player and eliminating them in the 2019-20 semi-finals as Chelsea manager.

Latest odds: – Manchester United 4/9, the draw 10/3 and Everton at 13/2.

Sheffield Wednesday Vs Newcastle

Sheffield Wednesday plays Newcastle United just days after thumping Cambridge United 5 – 0. Let us refresh your memory; Cambridge eliminated the Magpies from the FA Cup last year. However, the Owls have extended their unbeaten run to thirteen games and are in contention for promotion back to the second tier.

Darren Moore’s side will be honoured to welcome third-placed Newcastle United to Hillsborough after beating Morecambe and Mansfield in the opening two rounds. They have won just once win in their last eighteen encounters against top-flight opponents, further boosted by keeping a clean sheet in six consecutive FA Cup third-round games since a 3 – 0 defeat to Middlesbrough in 2017. Josh Windass scored a hat trick in his last game, with his last two goals before these coming in cup competitions.

Newcastle United have transformed from relegation battling side to top-four challengers with the fancy label of the wealthiest club in the world.

They are unbeaten in fifteen games holding the league leaders, Arsenal, to a goalless draw in the previous game. The last time the Magpies won a significant honour was back in 1955, but they have to get the job done as they have won just two of their previous sixteen FA Cup third-round games where they didn’t need a replay. Five of the last seven times they have progressed at this stage have been via replay.

Kieran Trippier is finally playing at the great heights he was destined to at Newcastle as their captain. He has inspired his side both in defence and in the goal-scoring department. In addition, the maestro is a great set piece taker and could be the difference in quality between the two sides.

Latest odds: – Sheffield Wednesday 11/2, the draw 10/3 and Newcastle at 1/3

Cardiff Vs Leeds

The two sides play each other for the first time since 2002 when third-tier Cardiff won 2 – 1 against the Whites, who were top of the Premier League. All four times that Cardiff has knocked out Leeds has been in the third round.

Cardiff City harbour a ninety-six-year dream of winning the FA Cup again, coming so close to glory in 2008, going all the way to the final. They are, however, out of form in the Championship and heading to a Premier League side. Leeds United.

The Championship side is winless in their last nine FA Cup encounters against top-tier sides (drawing two, losing seven). A two-goal margin has separated the last two head-to-head encounters at Cardiff City Stadium.

Sheyi-Ojo, who spent his youth at current FA Cup winners Liverpool, will hope to inspire his side to disappoint the Premier League side.

Leeds United are on a fifty-one-year wait lift for the FA Cup. they have been eliminated at this stage in the last five years but have played in ten straight FA Cup ties on the road. They were humbled 3 – 0 by Crawley three years ago, so taking longer to settle into the game could be a factor. Their opponents have scored inside the first ten minutes in three of their last Premier League Road trips; the Whites have to start well early and yearn for a goal to avoid a shock.

Jesse Marsch will enjoy a weekend off the tight and intense relegation struggle as they sit just two points from the drop zone and could rest some of his key players after battling out a 2 – 2 draw against West Ham in the previous match. Jack Harrison played his youth days alongside Ojo at Liverpool youth system has closed the days by scoring with his last three goals and could be their threat in front of goal as they hope to progress.

Latest odds: – Cardiff 16/5, the draw 11/4 and Leeds 5/6.

Liverpool Vs Wolves

The defending champions, Liverpool, host Wolves, hoping to forget their struggles in the league.

They lost 3 – 1 to Brentford in their previous match and currently sit sixth, which is by their standards poor but having won both the League Cup and the FA Cup, they will be keen to defend their trophies. However, Jurgen Klopp will be cautious as Wolves have eliminated them five in the seven ties, including twice under the German manager (2017, 2019 by a 2 – 1 scoreline, both defeats coming in January).

Liverpool has been knocked-out four times in the last seven seasons as holders, with all eliminations coming at this stage of the competition. Mohammed Salah has four goal contributions (two goals, two assists) against Wolves.

Wolves have lost eleven of their last thirteen games against Liverpool in all competitions, with their two victories coming in the FA Cup. However, they hope to continue their impressive run in the domestic competition to progress as they have serious relegation concerns in the Premier League.

Wolves face the FA Cup holders for the seventh time. On four of the six occasions, either they or their opponents have gone to the finals. Julen Lopetegui overseeded his side to a 1 – 1 draw in the previous game. The Spaniard has a cup-winning pedigree, having triumphed in the Europa League with Sevilla in the 2019-20 season. Wolves have, however, lost all five games against the Big Six by an aggregate score of 10 – 0 and need to deliver an outstanding performance to get a result against Liverpool.

Latest odds: – Liverpool 1/3, the draw 9/2 and Wolves 15/2.

Oxford Vs Arsenal

In the words of David Moyes, the best time to face Arsenal was three years ago.

Oxford finds themselves in a predicament to trying to get a result against an on-form Premier League leader at the peak of their powers and full of confidence. They were impressive in their first round (2 – 1) win against Woking and the second round (4 – 1) win against Exeter. The U’s won the FA Cup in 1874 and have a long way to repeat their brilliance. Billy Bodin scored twice in their win against Exeter and once against Woking in the FA Cup to make it three goals in two appearances that could lead his side to an unlikely victory.

Arsenal is playing their best football in over two decades, sitting eight points clear of the Premier League table, progressing to the next phase of the Europa League and will surely reach the progressive stages of the FA Cup. Standing in their way is Oxford United, who we expect Mikel Arteta to field his second team but still conquer their opponents.

They will be cautious after they were shocked out of the EFL Cup after a 3 – 1 defeat to Brighton. The Gunners are the competition’s record winners, and with all eyes on winning a first League title after over two decades, it won’t be surprising to see them burn out extra games to focus on their primary goal. Fabio Viera produced exceptional performances during the World Cup break; thus, we expect him to get some minutes and try wow his manager to try to get regular football in the league.

Latest odds: – Oxford 11/1, the draw 8/1 and Arsenal 1/6.

FA Cup – Third Round Draw in Full

Manchester United v Everton

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Forest Green Rovers v Birmingham City

Gillingham v Leicester City

Preston North End v Huddersfield Town

Reading v Watford

Tottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth

Blackpool v Nottingham Forest

Boreham Wood v Accrington Stanley

AFC Bournemouth v Burnley

Chesterfield v West Bromwich Albion

Fleetwood Town v Queens Park Rangers

Hull City v Fulham

Ipswich Town v Rotherham United

Middlesbrough v Brighton & Hove Albion

Millwall v Sheffield United

Shrewsbury Town v Sunderland

Brentford v West Ham United

Coventry City v Wrexham

Grimsby Town v Burton Albion

Luton Town v Wigan Athletic

Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United

Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Bristol City v Swansea City

Derby County v Barnsley

Cardiff City v Leeds United

Hartlepool United v Stoke City

Norwich City v Blackburn Rovers

Stockport County v Walsall

Aston Villa v Stevenage

Manchester City v Chelsea

Oxford United v Arsenal

All games are played on Saturday and Sunday except Manchester United v Everton (Fri) and Oxford United v Arsenal (Monday).

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