This weekend is one of the biggest in the football calendar in England and while there may be some of the gloss taken off the FA Cup in recent times, due to the big money available in the Premier League and from Champions League qualification, Third Round weekend in January remains one of the key dates in the football calendar each year.
With all the top teams in the Premier League and Championship entering the tournament at this stage, plus a further 20 teams from the lower and non-league who have made it through the earlier rounds, it is a round that is synonymous with some of the biggest upset results in the competition’s history.
With 32 games to be played across the weekend, and no replays this year – just extra time and penalties used to decide the winner on the day, it promises to be an intriguing few days of action and if you are one of the many who want to have a bet on the outcome, maybe by picking out a giant killing or two, then you may need a site to bet with and a great place to start for that is with the latest bet365 New Player Bonus. You can even use this starter bonus in conjunction with a bet on the FA Cup!
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Let’s now take a look at the full list of FA Cup Third Round Fixtures, before we highlight some great betting options for the big games and some potential giant-killings amongst those fixtures. For ease we have split them into two groups – games taking place from Friday and including the 3pm Kick Offs on Saturday and the second group contains all matches taking place after 3pm on Saturday.
Key Fixtures
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Aston Villa v Liverpool
Although this is a clash between two Premier League sides, this game is made all the more spicy by the fact that Aston Villa have beaten Liverpool 5-0 and 7-2 in their last two home games against the Reds.
Liverpool’s recent form has been poor and they have struggled to create chances against lower ranked opponents in the EPL in their last three games, which has seen them hauled in at the top of the table.
This is arguably, apart from being away to any of the big six, the game Liverpool would have least wanted and I do think Aston Villa, if they pick a strong team (as Liverpool will certainly rest players for this game) have a good chance of success – Tip – Aston Villa to win at 23/10
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Blackpool v West Brom
For me, this is the game where I can see a potentially big upset on the cards. Sam Allardyce’s West Brom have drawn away to Man City and Liverpool of late but have suffered big defeats at home and the Baggies boss has indicated that keeping West Brom up will be his biggest challenge in football so far.
He faces a club he has formerly managed in Blackpool too and we also know that Allardyce is not shy about playing a back up squad in the FA Cup to prioritise survival in the Premier League and I can see that happening here.
If that does, then I think Blackpool, who lie 13th in the League One table, have a great chance of causing an upset. Tip – Blackpool to win – 13/5
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Bristol Rovers v Sheffield United
Chris Wilder’s Blades have yet to win a game in the Premier League this season and they are going to be massively low on confidence. They travel to the Memorial Stadium to take on a Bristol Rovers side who have won three of their last four games and sit 18th in League One, albeit with at least two games in hand on most teams around them.
Paul Tisdale has got the Pirates in good shape over the last few games and they are certainly going to provide the Blades with a test, especially with the visitors more likely to be focused on their Premier League survival.
However a change in focus could be just what Sheffield United need at the moment and although they have not win in the league yet, they have enough quality to get the win here. Tip – Sheff Utd to win 8/11.
Key Fixtures
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Crawley Town v Leeds United
Leeds United have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the Premier League this season but by that definition it does mean they give opponents a chance to score against them and Crawley Town will be hoping to take advantage of that.
The problem for Crawley is that I can’t see Leeds making too many changes to their usual first team. Marcelo Bielsa plays every game as if it is equally important and while the home side may score a goal, I can’t see that being enough against a very talented Leeds attack.
This could be a hugely entertaining game, but I feel that even if Crawley do manage to get a goal, or even two, Leeds will score at least three, if not more, to secure the win. Tips – Leeds to win – 3/10.
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Marine v Tottenham
The lowest ranked team in the competition have been drawn against the Carabao Cup Finalists and a team that were top of the Premier League a few weeks back. This is a true David v Goliath clash in Crosby in Liverpool and one that the home side will be relishing.
Veteran striker Niall Cummings has nine goals for the home side this season but this is going to be a huge step up for them, even against a Tottenham side that will likely rest key players for this fixture and give fringe players a chance.
As much as the romance of the cup says that this would be a fairytale win for Marine, the truth of the matter is that I think Tottenham will win and win by a handsome margin, even with a weakened team. Tip – Tottenham to win – 1/50.
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Newport County v Brighton
Could Graham Potter’s men come unstuck against a Newport side that have done well against the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester City in recent times? The Welsh side are flying high in League Two at the moment, and Brighton will be wary of their tendency to draw games at the moment.
There’s no doubt that Rodney Parade, Newport’s home ground, is going to be tough for the Seagulls, but even with some first team players rested, Graham Potter can call on some high quality players to get the job done here.
This will be tight and close and I can’t see Brighton racking up a big score, but I do feel they will have more than enough quality and firepower to win the game. Tip – Brighton to win – 2/5
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Stockport v West Ham
Somewhat oddly, non-league Stockport have a good record against West Ham, winning 7 of their 14 clashes over the years to four for West Ham and three draws. Indeed, County knocked West Ham out of the League Cup in 1996, defeating them 2-1 at Edgeley Park.
David Moyes men though are in good shape in the Premier League and with Stockport now in the non-league, it would be a huge shock if the Hammers were not to win this game relatively comfortably.
The Hammers may give a few fringe players a chance in this game but even so, I’d expect them to have more than enough quality to get the job done here, although Stockport will give it a go. Tip – West Ham to win – 3/10.
*All odds shown were correct with bet365 Sport as of 8.30am on Thursday 7th January 2021.
