Excitement Builds for the FA Cup Third Round

The third round of the English FA Cup begins this Friday, marking one of the most eagerly awaited weekends on the football calendar. This round provides non-league teams the extraordinary opportunity to fulfill their dreams by facing and possibly defeating professional clubs, including some of the most renowned teams in the Premier League.

While top clubs may dread this weekend due to the risk of an upset, it also serves as the initial step towards Wembley for teams aspiring to clinch the title this season.

Fans in the U.S. can stream all the action live on the ESPN App, but which matches should capture your attention?

A standout fixture features Wrexham, a team vying for promotion from the EFL Championship, against Nottingham Forest, who are struggling to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Wrexham’s impressive four-game winning streak has brought them to within a point of playoff contention, giving them confidence that they can triumph against Forest. Despite Forest easing their relegation concerns with a recent victory against West Ham United, they may opt to rest several key players due to commitments in both league and Europa League competitions. Wrexham could even be viewed as the favorites in this matchup.

In another notable development, Manchester United finds itself in a transitional phase following the departure of head coach Ruben Amorim. The club’s future hinges on interim coach Darren Fletcher, though there is speculation about the potential appointment of another interim manager, such as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Michael Carrick, before their upcoming match. Regardless of who takes charge, Manchester United must secure a victory following their disappointing exit from the Carabao Cup. The pressure will undoubtedly be on United, especially considering Brighton’s successful track record in recent visits to Old Trafford.

Crystal Palace, fresh off their historic FA Cup victory over Manchester City last season, now faces a challenging tie against non-league Macclesfield, the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition. The Silkmen, competing in the National League North, will host Palace at their modest Moss Rose ground, which features an artificial surface. Historically, no team from the sixth tier has defeated a Premier League side, and the significant tier difference suggests that Palace is expected to emerge victorious, yet surprises are always a possibility.

In a heavyweight clash, Tottenham Hotspur takes on Aston Villa. Both clubs have rich FA Cup histories but are currently experiencing lengthy trophy droughts—Spurs last lifted the cup in 1991, while Villa’s last triumph came in 1957. Presently, Villa is enjoying a remarkable resurgence under Unai Emery, aiming for their first major trophy since 1996, while Spurs are keen to relieve the pressure on head coach Thomas Frank.

Grimsby Town, who previously stunned Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, are now favored against Weston-Super-Mare, a side from the sixth-tier National League South. With Grimsby in a mid-table position in League Two, this encounter could yield another unexpected result.

Chelsea’s head coach Liam Rosenior will kick off his tenure with a challenging London derby away to Championship side Charlton Athletic. Despite Charlton’s recent struggles, winning only once in their last eleven games, the uncertainty surrounding Chelsea’s new era could allow the home side to capitalize on the situation and potentially secure an upset.

Arsenal, the Premier League leaders, are set to visit Portsmouth, a team situated just above the Championship relegation zone. Although the Gunners are expected to win, they will be met with the vibrant atmosphere of Fratton Park, a venue rich in history and tradition since 1899, which could pose a unique challenge for them.

Lastly, while Liverpool might seem favored in their match against Barnsley, the recent history suggests a potential upset. Barnsley has previously triumphed at Anfield, and with Liverpool striving to regain their championship form from last season, this match could prove to be more challenging than anticipated.