The FA Cup is one of the most thrilling competitions in football, offering a rare opportunity for smaller clubs to pit themselves against the giants of English football. The third round of the 2024/25 FA Cup is already shaping up to be an exciting spectacle, as the Premier League and Championship sides enter the fray, and lower-league clubs dream of causing upsets.
This stage of the competition is always full of surprises, where anything can happen, from penalty shootouts to last-minute goals and giant killings. With the FA Cup’s rich history of upsets and magic, here’s a preview and prediction of the third round, including some of the most anticipated ties.
Thursday, 9 January: Championship and Premier League Clubs Take Centre Stage
The third round of the FA Cup kicks off on Thursday with several interesting matchups, including a Championship clash between Sheffield United and Cardiff City. These games are crucial for the teams involved as they look to balance their league duties with cup ambitions.
Sheffield United vs Cardiff City
Sheffield United are heavy favourites heading into this encounter at Bramall Lane. The Blades have been in strong form, sitting comfortably in the upper half of the Championship, while Cardiff are struggling near the relegation zone. Their recent 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United earlier in the season only adds to the pressure on the Welsh side.
- Prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Cardiff City
Everton vs Peterborough United
Sean Dyche’s Everton will face third-tier Peterborough United at Goodison Park. Everton have a strong FA Cup pedigree, and despite their struggles in the Premier League, they should have enough quality to get past Peterborough, who have had a mixed season in League One.
- Prediction: Everton 1-0 Peterborough United
Fulham vs Watford
Fulham host Watford in an all-Championship affair. Although the Cottagers are favourites, they have not beaten Watford in the FA Cup since 2005. With their solid Premier League form, Fulham will be expected to progress, but Watford will be looking to cause an upset after a tough season in the second tier.
- Prediction: Fulham 3-1 Watford
| Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Sheffield United vs Cardiff | 2-1 |
| Everton vs Peterborough | 1-0 |
| Fulham vs Watford | 3-1 |
Friday, 10 January: Wycombe’s Ambition and Villa’s Class
Friday night features two interesting ties, with Wycombe Wanderers aiming to continue their impressive cup form against Portsmouth, and Aston Villa taking on West Ham in a Premier League clash.
Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth
Wycombe have been on a solid run in League One, and despite recent hiccups, they will be confident of getting past Portsmouth. The visitors have struggled with their away form this season, making this a potential upset for the League One side.
- Prediction: Wycombe 2-0 Portsmouth
Aston Villa vs West Ham United
Villa’s solid start to the season has put them in good stead for this all-Premier League clash with West Ham. Even after a managerial change at West Ham, Villa’s home form should see them through to the fourth round.
- Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 West Ham United
| Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Wycombe vs Portsmouth | 2-0 |
| Aston Villa vs West Ham | 3-1 |
Saturday, 11 January: A Day of Thrills and Potential Upsets
Saturday will feature 19 fixtures, and the action is set to be relentless. Liverpool and Chelsea are heavy favourites against lower-league sides, but other matchups could produce surprises.
Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley
Liverpool are on a strong run and will be expected to breeze past League Two side Accrington Stanley. The Reds have the quality to win comfortably, and Accrington’s task is daunting.
- Prediction: Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley
Chelsea vs Morecambe
Chelsea will face Morecambe, another League Two side. With their squad depth and strength, Chelsea should have no problem in overcoming the minnows, and this could be a high-scoring affair.
- Prediction: Chelsea 7-0 Morecambe
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Bristol City
Wolves are struggling this season, and a tough trip to face an unbeaten Bristol City will not be easy. Wolves will need to dig deep to secure a win, but their Premier League class should see them through.
- Prediction: Bristol City 0-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manchester City vs Salford City
The most intriguing tie of the day sees League Two’s Salford City, co-owned by former Manchester United players, travel to the Etihad to face Manchester City. Salford has been in superb form, winning six consecutive matches without conceding a goal. However, City will prove too strong in the end.
- Prediction: Manchester City 4-1 Salford City
| Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Liverpool vs Accrington | 4-0 |
| Chelsea vs Morecambe | 7-0 |
| Wolves vs Bristol City | 0-3 |
| Man City vs Salford | 4-1 |
Sunday, 12 January: Arsenal vs Manchester United – A Classic FA Cup Tie
Sunday will see some top-tier clashes, with Arsenal and Manchester United taking centre stage. This match is expected to be one of the most thrilling encounters of the third round, but it’s not the only interesting fixture on the day.
Arsenal vs Manchester United
A top-flight rematch between Arsenal and Manchester United is the standout tie of the third round. United have shown signs of improvement under their new manager, but Arsenal’s class, especially in front of their home fans, should see them narrowly edge out their visitors. This match could go to extra time, and penalties could be needed to separate the sides.
- Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United (Arsenal win on penalties)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Tamworth
Tottenham travel to the Lamb Ground to face non-league Tamworth. Spurs have been struggling with injuries to their defenders, but they should have more than enough quality to overcome the National League side. While the magic of the FA Cup always brings surprises, it’s unlikely that Tamworth will be able to pull off an upset here.
- Prediction: Tamworth 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United vs Bromley
Newcastle will be heavy favourites to advance when they host Bromley from the National League. The Magpies are in fantastic form, and Bromley’s task will be an uphill one.
- Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Bromley
| Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Arsenal vs Manchester Utd | 2-2 (Arsenal win pens) |
| Tamworth vs Tottenham | 1-3 |
| Newcastle vs Bromley | 3-1 |
Monday, 13 January: Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge
The third round of the FA Cup concludes on Monday with a lower-league clash between Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge. Millwall are typically strong at home, but Dagenham will be hoping to pull off an upset.
Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge
Millwall have a strong FA Cup tradition and will be expected to see off Dagenham, who are struggling in the lower reaches of the National League. Despite their change in manager, Dagenham will find it difficult to take down Millwall.
- Prediction: Millwall 3-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
| Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Millwall vs Dagenham & Redbridge | 3-1 |
The 2024/25 FA Cup third round promises to be as unpredictable as ever, with lower-league sides looking to cause shocks and Premier League teams aiming to avoid an upset. The standout tie is undoubtedly Arsenal vs Manchester United, but there are plenty of other intriguing matchups that could bring drama, excitement, and the magic of the cup. The competition is wide open, and with the absence of replays this season, every match is set to be a thrilling one.
Whether you’re supporting a giant or hoping for an upset, the FA Cup always delivers, and this year’s third round is no exception. Keep an eye on these fixtures as the cup run heats up.
