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 oldest football competition in the world, when the top two divisions of the pyramid enter. FA Cupmagical qualities of.

For the first time in the competition's 153-year history, all 32 matches will finish on the same day as they start after replays were cancelled.

With the unpredictability of penalty kicks added to the mix of a tournament that boasts unexpected results, here is 90 minutes best guess for results for this year's third round.

Championship the rivals Sheffield United AND Cardiff City face off at Bramall Lane a few weeks after the Blades won 2-0 in the Welsh capital. Kieffer Moore scored twice in that December triumph that sent Cardiff into the relegation zone. The Bluebirds remain below the dotted line, 20 places below promotion-chasing Sheffield United, who are again home favourites.

Sean Dyche has a reputation for prioritizing league football over domestic cup duties but usually helps his team progress beyond the third round. Everton they were undoubtedly knocked out in the fourth round last year, but are expected to make it past the third tier Peterborough United on Thursday night.

Fulham are the favorites going into their third round home game against the second tier Watfordbut the Cottagers have not beaten their next opponents since they met at this stage of the same competition in 2005. Edwin van der Sar was in goal for the west London club that day.

Wycombe WanderersHot form may have started to cool in recent weeks, but the third-tier outfit could get the best of the Championship side Portsmouth on friday night. Pompey may be in a higher division (this season) but have won just one of their 13 away games in 2024/25.

Aston Villa host West Ham United in an all-Premier League, all-claret-and-blue affair. Even after one change of manager for the East London outfit, Villa should be expected to advance.

There are 19 games scheduled in a six-hour window on Saturday afternoon. WHEREAS Liverpool AND Chelsea likely to make light work of level four fighters Accrington Stanley AND Morecambe respectively, there may be some concerns.

Premier League warriors Wolverhampton Wanderers have a rough trip to one's house Bristol City the team who are unbeaten since Christmas and relegation rivals Leicester City expect good form Queens Park Rangers.

Salford City will be gunning for glory in the best match of the day as they travel to Manchester CityEtihad Stadium at 17:45 GMT. The promotion chasers in League Two, co-owned by a group of former Manchester United players, have won their last six games without conceding a single goal. far more impressive record than their hosts.

Pep Guardiola's side have failed to impress in either of their back-to-back wins and could concede chances in transition on Saturday night. Whether Salford will retain its simple extension to neighboring Manchester is another matter entirely.

ArsenalCup holder fly ball reset Manchester United may attract more attention, but Tottenham HotspurHis trip to non-league Tamworth has the makings of an FA Cup classic for the ages. Spurs seem to come out of every game with less fit defenders and more pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.

Success in the cup competitions is imperative for the Australian boss, whose side are naturally favorites against the National League strugglers. However, the intangible glamor of the FA Cup inevitably calls for an almighty scalp every year. Could the 4,000-capacity Lamb's Ground be the setting for this season's shock result? Maybe not.

Newcastle United are – apparently – in little danger of falling to that ignominious fate. Eddie Howe's regal-looking outfit awaits level four Bromley fresh from an efficient 2-0 win over Arsenal in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, their seventh win on the spin.

Not only will the Gunners need it get hold of the FA Cup ballbut they are expecting a Manchester United team that they are no longer crippled by fear and anxiety. If United produce the same spirited performance that held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield last weekend, Ruben Amorim's side may be able to avoid a second defeat at the Emirates in a month.

In the event of a draw, 30 minutes of added time will be played before the final option of penalties – which may have to be decided to separate these two Premier League giants.

Middle table championship outfit Millwall complete the third round waiting for the fifth level Dagenham & Redbridge Monday night. Alex Neil is yet to win a game since taking over at the Lions at the end of 2024, but will have the luxury of a ten-day break to prepare for the visit of a side who also changed their manager over the festive period.

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

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