This weekend is set to be a highlight in the football calendar, as fans across the country eagerly anticipate the third round of the FA Cup. While some may argue that the FA Cup has lost some of its allure over the years, this round remains a celebration of football, with numerous exciting ties to look forward to. The magic of the competition is evident, as it pits big clubs against smaller teams from across the football pyramid. We are also in for some heavyweight clashes that will see big names exiting the tournament early.
The action kicks off with a bang on Friday night, featuring a Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton. Just a few weeks ago, Liverpool would have been favorites for a comfortable win, but Everton’s recent improvement has made this tie even more intriguing.
Saturday offers another derby, with Middlesbrough hosting Sunderland in a fiercely contested North East clash. Elsewhere, several Premier League teams face tricky away fixtures against Championship sides, where they will be wary of potential upsets. Huddersfield, Southampton, and Swansea are struggling for form in the top flight, and their respective cup ties could prove challenging. The day concludes with Chelsea traveling to Norwich for an evening showdown.
On Sunday, West Ham and Arsenal both face lower league opposition away from home, while Tottenham host AFC Wimbledon at Wembley. The final game on Sunday sees Leeds United traveling to Newport County, with the weekend concluding on Monday when Brighton welcome Crystal Palace for a Premier League matchup.
Our Predictions for the Big Ties
Friday
- Liverpool vs Everton – Predicted Winner: Liverpool
- Manchester United vs Derby – Predicted Winner: Manchester United
Saturday
- Fleetwood vs Leicester – Predicted Winner: Leicester
- Middlesbrough vs Sunderland – Predicted Winner: Middlesbrough
- Bolton vs Huddersfield – Predicted Outcome: Draw
- Exeter vs West Brom – Predicted Winner: West Brom
- Fulham vs Southampton – Predicted Winner: Fulham
- Manchester City vs Burnley – Predicted Winner: Manchester City
- Watford vs Bristol City – Predicted Winner: Bristol City
- Wolves vs Swansea – Predicted Winner: Wolves
- Norwich vs Chelsea – Predicted Winner: Chelsea
Sunday
- Newport vs Leeds – Predicted Winner: Leeds
- Shrewsbury vs West Ham – Predicted Winner: West Ham
- Tottenham vs AFC Wimbledon – Predicted Winner: Tottenham
- Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal – Predicted Winner: Arsenal
Monday
- Brighton vs Crystal Palace – Predicted Outcome: Draw
Televised Games to Watch This Weekend
Liverpool vs Everton – Friday, 19:55 BBC One
The Merseyside derby kicks off the third-round action, and it’s sure to be a heated affair. While Everton have shown signs of improvement recently, climbing up the table, winning at Anfield remains a daunting challenge. In a one-off game, anything is possible, but Liverpool’s recent form and home advantage should see them through.
Fleetwood vs Leicester – Saturday, 12:45 BBC One
Premier League side Leicester face a potentially tricky away day against League One club Fleetwood. Although Fleetwood have had an inconsistent season, currently sitting in mid-table, they have the capability to make things difficult for Leicester. After bouncing back from a poor run with a 3-0 win over Huddersfield, Leicester will look to carry that momentum into this FA Cup tie.
Norwich vs Chelsea – Saturday, 17:30 BT Sport 2
Chelsea travel to Norwich for the final game on Saturday, seeking to avoid a potential giant-killing. With the Premier League title race seemingly out of reach, Chelsea will be aiming to secure some silverware via the FA Cup. However, Norwich, unbeaten in their last three matches, will not make it easy for the Blues.
Shrewsbury vs West Ham – Sunday, 14:00 BBC One
West Ham have been in better form lately, losing just one of their last five games. They will need to be at their best to overcome League One high-flyers Shrewsbury, who have been having a fantastic season and are currently pushing for promotion. This could be a challenging afternoon for West Ham, but their quality should see them progress.
Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal – Sunday, 16:00 BT Sport 2
Arsenal head to Nottingham Forest knowing that the FA Cup represents a strong chance of silverware. However, the Gunners have drawn three of their last four league matches and will want to avoid a replay. Forest, who recently sacked manager Mark Warburton, are struggling for form, which could give Arsenal the edge.
Brighton vs Crystal Palace – Monday, 19:45 BT Sport 2
The weekend concludes with a Premier League clash between two sides hovering around the relegation zone. Crystal Palace have been in better form of late, but Brighton’s home advantage could level the playing field. A draw seems the most likely result, although both teams would prefer to avoid a replay as they battle for survival in the league.
Betting Odds and Tips
The FA Cup always presents opportunities for some surprises, and many will be looking to place accumulator bets this weekend. A popular choice will be the Friday night double, with Liverpool at 2/5 to beat Everton and Manchester United at 2/9 to overcome Derby. Leicester, priced at 1/2, could also be a key pick for accumulator bettors.
Elsewhere, Manchester City are heavily favored at 2/11 to beat Burnley, while other common selections might include Newcastle at 1/2 to win against Luton and Chelsea at 1/2 away at Norwich. A tempting price is the even odds for West Ham to beat Shrewsbury on Sunday.
For those seeking bigger odds, the weekend offers several smaller clubs with the potential to cause upsets. Coventry are 4/1 to defeat Stoke, while Exeter, also at 4/1, could beat struggling West Brom. After their heroics in the League Cup, Bristol City are 13/2 to triumph over Watford.
Exciting Betting Offers
Coral – A Yellow Card Shown in the Merseyside Derby
The Merseyside derby is always a feisty encounter, and Coral is offering an enhanced 25/1 for a yellow card to be shown in the game. New customers can take advantage of this offer to get their betting account off to a great start.
Ladbrokes – Chelsea to Beat Norwich
If you believe Chelsea will overcome Norwich, Ladbrokes are offering a massive 33/1 for new customers on Chelsea to win. This boosted price represents significant value and is a great way to start a new account.
William Hill – Enhanced Treble on Manchester City, Watford, and Southampton
William Hill is boosting the odds to 5/1 for Manchester City, Watford, and Southampton all to win this weekend, a significant increase from the standard 5/2 odds. This offer is available for both new and existing customers.