Bournemouth vs. West Brom(Saturday, 3pm)
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Looking to clinch major silverware for the first time in their humble history, Bournemouth commence their 2024-25 FA Cup campaign with the hosting of West Bromwich Albion at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Cherries come into this cup clash following a record-breaking unbeaten run in the top flight, whilst the Baggies are battling on in the second tier without the services of a permanent manager.
We say: Bournemouth 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
With a raft of first-team players sidelined due to injury, Bournemouth are unlikely to cruise to third-round progression at the Vitality, especially if Iraola opts to rotate his XI.
West Brom have continued to be solid without Corberan barking orders from the touchline, although we feel that their Premier League opponents will be too strong on the South Coast.
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Bristol City vs. Wolves (Saturday, 12.00pm)
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Wolverhampton Wanderers will put their Premier League survival bid to one side when they travel to Ashton Gate to face Championship side Bristol City in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday lunchtime.
The two teams meet for the first time since February 2019 when the Old Gold secured a 1-0 away win over the Robins in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Taking into account that fact that Bristol City are set to name a relatively strong lineup and Wolves could be without a number of players, there may be little to separate these two teams this weekend.
The Robins have looked strong on home soil in recent weeks, while the Old Gold continue to look vulnerable in defence, so we are backing the hosts to claim a Premier League scalp and advance to the fourth round.
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Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 12.00pm)
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Playoff-chasing sides Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers will put their promotion ambitions to one side this weekend when they meet in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday at the Riverside.
Managers Michael Carrick and John Eustace could be tempted to discard the cup in favour of focusing on promotion, but a win for either side could give them a psychological edge for the coming weeks in the playoff hunt.
We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Blackburn Rovers (Middlesbrough win on penalties)
There is almost nothing to separate the sides in the Championship table, and both managers could be tempted to make some personnel changes with the promotion picture hotting up.
The two sides have won very few games in recent weeks, and this one may go all the way, with Boro proving tough to beat, even if they have only won two of their last six matches.
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Birmingham vs. Lincoln (Saturday, 12.00pm)
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Looking to continue their fight on three fronts as 2025 progresses, Birmingham City will welcome fellow third-tier outfit Lincoln City to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park for a third-round tie in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Blues have enjoyed a productive festive period as they battle for promotion to the Championship, whilst the Imps have struggled to find the net and positive results over recent weeks.
We say: Birmingham City 2-0 Lincoln City
Likely to rotate following a hectic festive schedule, a disjointed Birmingham side might struggle to find their rhythm in the FA Cup this weekend.
However, Blues should have enough quality on the pitch and in reserve for success, especially considering Lincoln's recent struggles in front of goal.
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Liverpool vs. Accrington (Saturday, 12.15pm)
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Liverpool get their FA Cup campaign underway on Saturday lunchtime when they welcome League Two strugglers Accrington Stanley to Anfield.
In a dream tie for the fourth-tier outfit, this will be their first clash against Liverpool since reforming in 1968.
We say: Liverpool 6-0 Accrington Stanley
While Slot is set to rotate his Liverpool side heavily, some international talent should still be on display, and they will have far too much class for the League Two outfit.
Accrington will try to keep the score down, but Liverpool have been free scoring in the Premier League and Champions League, so the outcome may look ugly at full time.
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> Slot to make 10 changes? Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Accrington
> Quansah, Szoboszlai latest: Liverpool injury, suspension list for FA Cup clash vs. Accrington
Leicester vs. QPR (Saturday, 2.00pm)
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Ruud van Nistelrooy's first taste of knockout football as Leicester City head coach sees the Foxes welcome Queens Park Rangers to the King Power Stadium for Saturday's FA Cup third-round clash.
It has been almost 38 years to the day since the sides last met in the prestigious competition, although few will back QPR to replicate their 5-2 thrashing of Leicester from that 1987 affair.
We say: Leicester City 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
Leicester and QPR may be heading in opposite trajectories in their respective leagues, but clean sheets remain hard to come by for Cifuentes's side, even if the feel-good factor has returned.
The Hoops can still be expected to trouble a confidence-depleted Foxes unit, but Van Nistelrooy's extra firepower in attack should just about get the hosts over the line.
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Reading vs. Burnley (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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League One outfit Reading welcome Championship side Burnley to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for a third-round tie in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams square off for the first time since April 2023 when they played out a goalless stalemate in the second tier.
We say: Reading 1-2 Burnley
Both teams will fancy their chances of success on Saturday, but Burnley will be regarded as favourites, even though their away record at Reading leaves little to be desired, and they should find a way to edge past their League One counterparts, even if Parker opts to make changes to his lineup.
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Norwich vs. Brighton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Two clubs yet to add an FA Cup honour to their trophy cabinet square off at Carrow Road in Saturday's third-round encounter, as Norwich City pit their wits against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Both sides come into the showdown seeking to stretch their respective unbeaten runs to five matches, but converting draws into wins remains a struggle for the Premier League outfit.
We say: Norwich City 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Both encounters between Norwich and Brighton in 2021-22 might have ended scoreless, but goals ought to be a guarantee between the confident Canaries and a Seagulls side who can always be relied upon to produce the attacking goods on the road.
A depleted Seagulls defence is at serious risk of being exposed by Thorup's men, but the visitors should be able to fight fire with fire at the other end of the pitch to enter the pot for round four.
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Preston vs. Charlton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Preston North End welcome League One side Charlton Athletic to Deepdale in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
It is the third-tier side who come into the game in better form, with Preston making a poor start to 2025, slipping down the Championship table.
We say: Preston North End 1-2 Charlton Athletic
Despite being in the division below, Charlton have been taking this competition seriously so far with a superb win over Walsall, and they have been in excellent form in League One.
Preston are lingering in mid-table in the Championship so should field a strong team, but despite an excellent run in the EFL Cup, they could be in for a surprise here.
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Chelsea vs. Morecambe (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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The wheels have come off Chelsea's Premier League title charge, but the Blues will seek safe passage into FA Cup round four when they host Morecambe in Saturday's third-round showdown.
While Enzo Maresca's troops enter the competition at this stage, the Shrimps have already had to navigate clashes with Worthing and Bradford City to earn a day out at Stamford Bridge.
We say: Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe
Chelsea's golden touch in the Premier League may have eluded them in the past couple of weeks, but even Maresca's second-string team should comfortably tear Morecambe to shreds.
Do not expect the Shrimps to depart with a consolation goal to their name either; all of the visitors' last six losses have also seen them fail to find the back of the net.
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> Ten changes and a start for Chilwell? Predicted Chelsea XI vs. Morecambe
> Will Lavia return? Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Morecambe
Sunderland vs. Stoke (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Stoke City travel to the North East for Saturday's all-Championship FA Cup tie against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The hosts are searching for a third consecutive victory, while the visitors are hoping to claim their first win under Mark Robins's tutelage.
We say: Sunderland 1-0 Stoke City
Stoke have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent times, but we think that they may struggle to avoid defeat against a Sunderland side that has won four of their last five matches at the Stadium of Light.
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Exeter vs. Oxford Utd (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Championship outfit Oxford United will head to St James Park for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against League One Exeter City.
The hosts are looking to end a three-game winless run, while the U's will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten start under Gary Rowett.
We say: Exeter City 1-2 Oxford United
While Oxford are set to make a number of changes for the third-round tie, they will still carry plenty of momentum into the weekend after winning three and drawing one of their four matches under Rowett, and we think that they will keep that run going by claiming a narrow victory over a club they have beaten in four of their last five meetings.
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Brentford vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Premier League side Brentford welcome Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle to the Gtech Community Stadium for an FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday afternoon.
The two teams butt heads for the first time since February 2011 when the Bees beat the Pilgrims 2-0 in League One.
We say: Brentford 4-1 Plymouth Argyle
Brentford will be regarded as firm favourites to come out on top this weekend. Taking into account the hosts' impressive home form as well as Plymouth's leaky backline - the worst in the EFL that has conceded 53 goals - we can see the Bees securing safe passage through to the fourth round.
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Nott'm Forest vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Two clubs that could only be separated by one place in the 2023-24 Premier League table reunite in Saturday's FA Cup third-round battle, where Nottingham Forest square up to Luton Town at the City Ground.
While the Tricky Trees have only been looking upwards since narrowly avoiding relegation last term, the Hatters are fighting an uphill struggle to even salvage their Championship status for 2025-26 and recently parted company with head coach Rob Edwards.
We say: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton Town
It will be fascinating to see whether Santo opts to go strong or rotate his resources for the visit of Luton, but regardless of what team Forest field, Luton should be heading home disappointed.
The Hatters are in disarray on the field, and even if Trollope and Kyle can provide any sort of new manager bounce, the Premier League surprise package should enjoy safe passage into round four.
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Man City vs. Salford City (Saturday, 5.45pm)
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Two teams less than five miles apart but separated by 64 places in the English football pyramid meet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, as Manchester City play host to Salford City in the third round of the FA Cup.
The Citizens and the Ammies will butt heads for the very first time, with the visitors preparing for their debut in the third round of the competition.
We say: Manchester City 3-0 Salford City
The unpredictable nature of the FA Cup is what makes the prestigious competition so special, and even though Salford City enter Saturday's contest as huge underdogs, they will have their tails up heading to the Etihad as they boast a strong run of form.
Man City are expected to make changes, but Guardiola potentially leaning on youthful, energetic and hungry players who are keen to stake a claim for more first-team opportunities may actually play into their hands, and we are backing the hosts to secure safe passage through to the fourth round.
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> Striker to make debut as Pep rings changes? Predicted Man City lineup vs. Salford
> Dias, Stones, Ederson updates: Man City injury, suspension news vs. Salford
Leeds vs. Harrogate (Saturday, 5.45pm)
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In a first-ever meeting between these two Yorkshire outfits, Leeds United welcome Harrogate Town to Elland Road in one of the ties of the FA Cup third round on Saturday.
Leeds are accustomed to facing local rivals in the form of Bradford City and Huddersfield Town, but this will be a new experience for everybody at Elland Road this weekend.
We say: Leeds United 4-1 Harrogate Town
The depth of Leeds' squad suggests that, even with heavy rotation, they will field an XI with internationals and plenty of players with top-flight experience, and that should be too much for Harrogate.
For the travelling 4,000 Harrogate fans, few will be expecting a result here, and their position near the bottom of League Two is a clear indicator that they will struggle against the second-tier leaders.
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Leyton Orient vs. Derby (Saturday, 6.00pm)
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Following an upturn in League One form over the festive period, Leyton Orient switch their attentions to the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, when Championship outfit Derby County visit Gaughan Group Stadium.
The O's enjoyed plenty of Christmas cheer and appear set for an unlikely playoff push in the third tier, whilst the Rams are nervously looking over their shoulder at the second-tier relegation zone.
We say: Leyton Orient 1-2 Derby County
Following a five-game winning streak in League One, Leyton Orient will not fear the arrival of Derby at Gaughan Group Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
However, we feel that the Rams will have enough quality on the pitch and in reserve to squeeze into the fourth round at the expense of the in-form O's.
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Mansfield vs. Wigan (Saturday, 6.00pm)
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Wigan Athletic will head to the One Call Stadium for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against fellow League One side Mansfield Town.
The Stags are looking to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2007-08, while the visitors are hoping to reach the next stage for the first time since 2021-22.
We say: Mansfield Town 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Mansfield will be full of confidence after winning four of their last five matches, and we think that the hosts will continue to build momentum by claiming a narrow victory to get the better of Wigan for the second time this season.
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Coventry vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 6.00pm)
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Looking to go two better than their FA Cup adventure last season, Coventry City will welcome Championship counterparts Sheffield Wednesday to The Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday evening.
The Sky Blues have made a mixed start to life under the stewardship of Frank Lampard, whilst the Owls are battling away in the second tier with highly-regarded Danny Rohl at the helm.
We say: Coventry City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
With a number of injuries to key attackers, it could be a grind for Coventry this weekend as they look to book a spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
We are expecting a drop in performance levels from Sheffield Wednesday with alterations to their XI expected, a decision from Rohl that will likely lead to defeat on the road.
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Ben Knapton
