FA Cup 2024/25 Predictions: Third Round

For many, the FA Cup Third Round is the most exciting weekend in the English football calendar.

This is the stage of the world's oldest football competition when the top two divisions of the pyramid compete. A fertile ground for surprises, with fans sitting in the trees overlooking the stadium and a constant reminder of the tournament. FA CupMagical qualities.

For the first time in the competition's 153-year history, all 32 matches will conclude on the same day they began after the replay was cancelled.

Adding the unpredictability of a penalty shootout to the mix of a tournament that prides itself on unpredictable results, here it is 90 minutes Best guess for the results of this year's third round.

championship Competitors Sheffield United and Cardiff City The encounter at Bramall Lane comes weeks after the Blades' 2-0 win in the Welsh capital. Kiefer Moore scored twice in the December victory that sent Cardiff into the relegation zone. The Bluebirds remain below the dotted line, 20 places behind promotion-chasing Sheffield United, who are once again favorites at home.

Sean Dyche has a reputation for prioritizing league football over domestic cup duties, but he usually helps his team progress beyond the third round. Everton They were eliminated in the fourth round last year, but are expected to make it through the third division Peterborough United Thursday night.

Fulham They are the favorites to qualify for the third round at home to the second division Watfordbut the Cottagers have not beaten their next opponents since they faced off at this stage of the same competition in 2005. Edwin van der Sar was the west London club's goalkeeper on the day.

Wycombe WanderersThe hot streak may have started to cool down in recent weeks, but the third-tier side could overtake the Championship side. Portsmouth Friday night. Pompey may be in a higher division (this season) but they have won just one of their 13 away games in 2024/25.

Aston Villa Hosts West Ham United In the entire Premier League, the Claret and Blue affair. Even after a Change manager For the east London side, Villa are expected to progress.

There are 19 games falling into a six-hour window on Saturday afternoon. while Liverpool and Chelsea He will likely do light work for level 4 fighters Accrington Stanley and Morecambe Respectively, there can be some disturbances.

Premier League The fighters Wolverhampton Wanderers I wish you a difficult trip to A's house City of Bristol A side unbeaten since Christmas and relegation rivals Leicester City host an in-form side Queens Park Rangers.

City of Salford They will be aiming for glory in today's marquee match as they travel to Manchester CityAt Etihad Stadium at 17:45 GMT. The League Two side, owned by a group of former Manchester United players, have won their last six matches without conceding a goal, a record. A far more impressive record than their hosts.

Pep Guardiola's side have not impressed with any of their successive wins and may cede chances in transition on Saturday night. Whether Salford will maintain its stingy extension into neighboring Manchester is another matter entirely.

ArsenalFirst Division rematch with the cup holders Manchester United It may attract the most attention, however Tottenham HotspurA trip to non-league Tamworth It has the makings of an all-time FA Cup classic. Tottenham seem to come out of every game with fewer fit defenders and more pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou.

Success in cup competitions is essential for the Australian coach, who sees his side as natural favorites against the National League strugglers. However, the intangible glamor of the FA Cup inevitably claims one scalp every year. Could the 4,000 capacity Lamb Ground be the venue for this season's shock result? Maybe not.

Newcastle United They appear to be in little danger of falling into this shameful fate. Eddie Howe's in-form Royals host the Fourth Division side Bromley Fresh from efficiency Winning over Arsenal 2-0 In the Carabao Cup semi-final, the team achieved their seventh successive win.

The matter will not be limited to the Gunners only Control the FA Cup ballbut they host a Manchester United team that no longer exists I am afflicted with fear and anxiety. If United produce the same spirited performance that earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw at Anfield last weekend, Ruben Amorim's side may be able to avoid a second defeat at the Emirates Stadium in the space of a month.

In the event of a draw, 30 minutes of extra time will be played before the last resort of a penalty shootout – which may have to be deployed to separate these two Premier League giants.

Mid-table tournament uniform Millwall The third round concludes by hosting the fifth division Dagenham and Redbridge Monday night. Alex Neale is yet to win a game since taking over as Lions manager at the end of 2024, but he will have the luxury of a ten-day break to prepare for the visit of a team that also changed their manager over the festive period.

Ben Strevens has been succeeded by his assistant, Louis Young, who at 35 years is living up to his name. However, Young will be aware of Millwall's strong record in the FA Cup. The London club twice reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in the 21st century, losing the final to… Cristiano Ronaldo– Inspired Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium in 2004.

Read the latest FA Cup news, previews and reviews here