The third round of the FA Cup sees Premier League and Championship teams enter the mix. Okay, it didn’t start with many fireworks, as Crystal Palace and Everton played out a goalless draw on Thursday night, but this is when the competition is supposed to pick up the pace with the potential for cup upsets and giant killings. With this in mind, here’s our preview.
The Tyne-Wear Derby
Newcastle United and Sunderland face off for the first time since 2016 in what could be an explosive Saturday afternoon fixture.
The Magpies are winless in four and have lost their last three matches. Combine this run of form with their Champions League elimination and it is easy to understand why Eddie Howe finds himself under pressure. A loss to Sunderland could seal his fate, just months after guiding Newcastle to a top-four finish in the Premier League. Football is a ruthless sport though.
By comparison, Sunderland are finding their feet under new manager Michael Beale. The Black Cats are unbeaten in three and have kept a clean sheet in two of those games.
The Stadium of Light is going to be rocking for this one.
Potential for Preston
Championship side Preston travel to Stamford Bridge to take on Premier League giants Chelsea on Saturday evening. Ryan Lowe had the Lilywhites playing some brilliant football earlier on in the campaign but they now find themselves in 14th position in England’s second tier having lost four of their last five.
However, they have shown that they have the ability to up their game against certain opponents. For example, they beat Leeds United and took a point off of Southampton. Matching an inconsistent Chelsea team might not be out of the question.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men beat Luton in their last Premier League outing but it wasn’t a deserved three points. In fact, all of the stats suggest the Hatters had every right to feel aggrieved.
The potential really is there for Preston to cause an upset.
Can the champions retain their crown?
Manchester City kick off their FA Cup campaign with a home match against Huddersfield Town. Perhaps surprisingly, the win over Manchester United last season was just the second time that the Citizens have lifted the trophy under Pep Guardiola.
No team have retained the FA Cup since Arsenal in 2015. So there is still something for Guardiola to achieve in English football after all.
This should be a routine victory for City. Huddersfield are struggling in the Championship and find themselves in 21st position. Only Rotherham (three) have won fewer matches than the Terriers (five) and they have one of the worst defensive records in the league having conceded 44 goals in their 26 matches.
It should be one-way traffic at the Etihad, but the magic of the cup will keep people intrigued.
League one hosts League Two
Shrewsbury Town, a team in mid-table in League One, host League Two promotion hopefuls Wrexham on Sunday.
It might not be the big blockbuster Wrexham fans might’ve wanted but it does present them with an opportunity to progress. A prolonged cup run is more beneficial than a one-off Third Round match against Premier League opposition.
Only Stockport and Notts County (both of whom have played one more game) have more goals than Wrexham in the league this season while Shrewsbury are the second-lowest scorers in League One, with just 17 to their name this term. The Red Dragons will no doubt feel as though they have the firepower to blow their way into the Fourth Round.
A statement victory for Wrexham would make people sit up and take notice of them as a viable threat in this competition.
An Emirates showdown
The match of the round? Possibly. Arsenal host Premier League leaders Liverpool on Sunday afternoon looking for revenge on the Reds.
Jurgen Klopp’s men overturned a 1-0 deficit at Anfield against the Gunners in mid-December to claim a point. In truth, the hosts should’ve won. However, since that game, Arsenal have lost back-to-back matches and their title credentials are being scrutinised, with Mikel Arteta’s team now in fourth position in the English top-flight.
A win over Liverpool, even if it just in the FA Cup and teams would be weakened, would silence a number of doubters. It is a result that could kickstart their season again and at an important stage of the campaign.
The end of the Ten Hag Era?
Manchester United travel to struggling League One side Wigan Athletic on Monday evening. Anything other than a win here could spell the end for Erik Ten Hag as the boss of the Red Devils.
The Dutchman guided them to the final last season. A Third Round exit would be disastrous in what is already a forgettable campaign. United are mid-table in the Premier League and have been knocked out of Europe entirely following a dismal showing in the Champions League. This is the final opportunity for a piece of silverware and the draw was kind to them.
If this goes wrong, he is surely on the brink. Wigan are 17th in League One and have just one win in their last six matches across all competitions.
(Imagesfrom IMAGO)
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