The FA Cup’s rich history renders the competition the most significant of its kind in world football.
For England’s biggest clubs, the early rounds of the FA Cup in the new year can offer some respite in the wake of the frantic festive period, but treating the competition as a means for recuperation only exposes them to a potential upset.
The 2023/24 FA Cup third-round draw was a belter, throwing up ties between the Premier League’s best as well as an array of potential banana skins for favoured teams.
It’s not just those plying their trade in the top flight that should be on upset alert this weekend either.
Date: Saturday 6 January
Kick-off time: 12:30 GMT / 07:45 ET / 04:45 PT
Maidstone United currently sit fourth in the National League South and are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.
Maidstone have already upset League Two side Barrow to reach the third round for the very first time. The draw threw up a winnable fixture for the minnows and they’ll welcome Stevenage to the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Stevenage are enjoying a fine season in League One after earning automatic promotion into the third tier last term. Despite their impressive first half to 2023/24, Maidstone’s journey thus far, a buoyant home crowd, and an astroturf pitch render Saturday’s visitors vulnerable to a shock.
Date: Saturday 6 January
Kick-off time: 12:45 GMT / 07:45 ET / 04:45 PT
Newcastle United could scarcely be heading into the first Tyne-Wear Derby since 2016 in poorer form. The Magpies have won one of their last eight games in all competitions, and they haven’t won away from home since 1 November.
On New Year’s Day, they surrendered a record-breaking xG haul at Liverpool.
Championship outfit Sunderland will thus be confident of a derby upset. Despite recently parting ways with manager Tony Mowbray, the Black Cats are sixth in the second tier and hopeful of returning to the Premier League after losing in the play-offs last season.
The Stadium of Light will be as raucous as it’s ever been for Newcastle’s visit this weekend.
Date: Saturday 6 January
Kick-off time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Watford have been agents of chaos this term. The Championship mid-tablers are the joint-sixth leading scorers in the second tier, but they’ve also conceded the joint-second most among teams in the top half.
Thus, Saturday’s cup tie against National League high-flyers Chesterfield is bound to entertain.
Chesterfield hold a seven-point lead at the top of the fifth tier having played two games fewer than second-place Bromley. They’re comfortably the National League’s leading scorers, but they don’t exactly boast an early 90s Milan backline.
Both teams should have joy in the final third, and Chesterfield certainly have a shot at outgunning their superior opponents.
Date: Saturday 6 January
Kick-off time: 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Chris Wilder’s return has undoubtedly aided Sheffield United, especially defensively, but the Blades are still in real danger of returning to the Championship next season.
After beating Tottenham Hotspur on their way to the FA Cup semi-finals last season, Sheffield United are doubtlessly vulnerable to an early exit of their own this time around.
The Blades have already been beaten by lower-tier opposition (Lincoln City) in the Carabao Cup, and they’re also winless on their travels this term.
They should have too much for Gillingham on Saturday, but the League Two side have won back-to-back games heading into their third-round tie.
Date: Saturday 6 January
Kick-off time: 17:30 GMT / 12:30 ET / 09:30 PT
You simply have no idea what you’re going to get from Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea.
They’ve won two on the bounce in the Premier League, but Preston shouldn’t be deterred when they visit Stamford Bridge this weekend. Chelsea’s home ground is not the fortress it once was during Jose Mourinho’s first stint in charge or Antonio Conte’s maiden season at the helm.
Pochettino’s side can be got at, with their profligacy in front of goal giving any opponent a shot at victory.
Preston are in dire form, but this grand occasion could galvanise Ryan Lowe’s men.
Date: Sunday 7 January
Kick-off time: 14:00 GMT / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT
Nuno Espirito Santo’s tenure has started with two wins from three games, but Nottingham Forest have a wretched FA Cup record.
They’ve been dumped out of this competition in the third round seven times since 2012.
Nuno will be confident of continuing his bright start at the City Ground, but Blackpool have enjoyed an excellent start to their FA Cup campaign and are in contention for earning a League One play-off berth.
Date: Sunday 7 January
Kick-off time: 14:00 GMT / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT
Aldershot Town have already beaten a pair of EFL sides to reach the third round, a run that includes a remarkable 7-4 victory over Swindon Town.
After besting League Two title hopefuls Stockport County in a replay, Aldershot are now preparing to face Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies are fifth in the second tier and in contention to return to the Premier League next season, but Aldershot have nothing to fear or lose. They’ve already been through plenty during their FA Cup journey, and securing just their second-ever fourth-round berth is dangerous motivation from a West Brom perspective.
Date: Monday 8 January
Kick-off time: 20:15 GMT / 15:15 ET / 12:15 PT
Whether it be Ben Watson’s goal in the 2013 final or Will Grigg’s strike to down the ‘Centurions’, Wigan are synonymous with modern FA Cup magic, although Manchester City have typically been on the receiving end.
Now, the Latics have a chance to inflict greater misery upon the Sky Blues’ Manchester rivals.
If there’s a Premier League side currently vulnerable to a major FA Cup upset, it’s Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United. Bereft of leaders and a stable direction, United are in a perpetual state of flux.
While Wigan currently sit just above the relegation zone in League One, you wouldn’t bet against them stunning the Red Devils on Monday night.
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