The oldest cup competitors in European soccer returns to motion this weekend because the FA Cup gears up for its third spherical.
Defending champions Crystal Palace journey to Moss Rose to tackle sixth-tier Macclesfield, searching for their first win in any competitors since early December.
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Final season’s crushed finalists, Manchester Metropolis, face third-tier Exeter Metropolis, solely three days after being held to a gut-wrenching 1-1 draw to Premier League underachievers Brighton & Hove Albion.
Priced at 9/2, Pep Guardiola’s males are the highest candidates to win their eighth title on this competitors, with Liverpool, who encounter Barnsley at residence, being given 11/2 to ascend the throne.
Regardless of main the best way within the Premier League and sitting on the high of the Champions League desk, Arsenal (13/2) are solely the third-favourites to dethrone Palace.
With out additional ado, let’s take a look at the 5 must-watch third-round fixtures.
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Portsmouth vs Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s fees head to Fratton Park to fulfill Championship bottom-half strugglers Portsmouth of their first showdown since March 2020, when the Gunners claimed a snug 2-0 win on this competitors.
Arsenal’s pursuit of their first top-flight title since 2003/04 took a minor blow on Thursday as out-of-sorts Liverpool held them to a scoreless draw on the Emirates Stadium.
Nevertheless, throughout his interview with , Arteta defined how he manages to maintain the squad comfortable and united regardless of stiff competitors for locations.
Sunday’s match may very well be an excellent alternative for Guardiola’s former assistant to rotate his squad and provides some relaxation to his key starters.
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Something apart from Arsenal’s clear-cut victory can be a significant shock, not least as a result of Portsmouth’s final win over the record-time FA Cup winners dates again to 1958.
Newcastle United vs Bournemouth
Contemporary off a shocking late comeback to beat Leeds United 4-3, Newcastle United entertain Bournemouth at St James’ Park in one of many standout third-round fixtures.
Like their hosts, the Cherries emerged victorious in midweek Premier League motion, with Anthony Semenyo netting a late winner in opposition to Tottenham Hotspur in his farewell sport on the Vitality Stadium.
Regardless of being thought of pre-match favourites at 17/20, the Magpies can not take something without any consideration, as they’ve did not beat Bournemouth of their final six conferences in all competitions.
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Charlton vs Chelsea
Liam Rosenior’s touchline debut pits out-of-form Chelsea in opposition to second-tier Charlton Athletic at The Valley of their first assembly since 2007, with the Blues looking for a method out of a five-game winless run.
This conflict seems like a main alternative for the Stamford Bridge giants to finish their tough patch and for Rosenior to get his tenure off to a successful begin, given the substantial gulf at school.
Including to this sentiment, Charlton head into proceedings on a four-match winless streak, although it’s value noting that three of these 4 video games got here on the street.
Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Man Utd’s post-Ruben Amorim period began with a whimper slightly than a bang as Burnley held interim boss Darren Fletcher to a goal-glutted 2-2 draw at Turf Moor.
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In accordance with , former Man Utd supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as a frontrunner for the job regardless of his underwhelming stint at Besiktas earlier this 12 months.
Nevertheless, Fletcher shall be on the helm when the Purple Devils lock horns with Brighton this weekend, dealing with a possibility to win back-to-back head-to-heads for the primary time since 2022.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
With the stress on Thomas Frank at an all-time excessive, Spurs host Aston Villa in North London after a stomach-wrenching 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Frank’s underperforming facet gained simply as soon as of their final six outings, and one other slip-up may spell the top of the Dane’s stint within the capital.
Sadly for Tottenham, they’re up in opposition to a high-flying Aston Villa facet, whose solely loss since November 6 got here in opposition to Arsenal of their closing match of 2025.
