The third round of the FA Cup is widely regarded as the most exciting of the competition as the Premier League giants often lock horns with lower league opposition.
2024/25 has offered such fixtures in abundance, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham all drawn against lower league opposition in the third round.
While progress is expected for Premier League sides, going into the fourth round can be transformative for those across the lower tiers of the English Football League – and occasionally beyond.
The draw for round four will be nerve-wracking as the competition's underdogs await their fate. Here is everything you need to know.
Despite Millwall hosting Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday night, FA Cup The draw for the fourth round will be made the day before. After completion of Arsenal vs Man Utd on Sunday afternoon, the remaining clubs will reveal their opponents.
With Arsenal v Man Utd kicking off at 15:00 GMT, the FA Cup draw is expected to take place at around 17:00 GMT – almost immediately after the match ends. However, with the game potentially going to overtime and penalties, that estimated time could change.
Regardless of the result of the match, the draw will be made after the last kick at the Emirates Stadium.
Those wishing to take part in the FA Cup fourth round draw are in luck. It will be broadcast live on BBC One after the match between Arsenal and Man Utd, with Kelly Somers as the presenter. Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown and ex-Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will conduct the current draw.
The draw is also available to watch live on FA Cupsocial media channels.
|
The number of the ball |
Club |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Southampton or Swansea City |
|
2 |
Arsenal or Man Utd |
|
3 |
Exeter City |
|
4 |
Leyton Orient or Derby County |
|
5 |
Burnley |
|
6 |
Aston Villa |
|
7 |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
|
8 |
Manchester City |
|
9 |
Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge |
|
10 |
Liverpool |
|
11 |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
|
12 |
Preston North End or Charlton Athletic |
|
13 |
Chelsea |
|
14 |
Blackburn Rovers |
|
15 |
Bournemouth |
|
16 |
Mansfield Town or Wigan Athletic |
|
17 |
Tamworth or Tottenham Hotspur |
|
18 |
Hull City or Doncaster Rovers |
|
19 |
Stoke City |
|
20 |
Leicester City |
|
21 |
Plymouth Argyle |
|
22 |
Coventry City |
|
23 |
Newcastle United or Bromley |
|
24 |
Everton |
|
25 |
Wycombe Wanderers |
|
26 |
Birmingham City |
|
27 |
Leeds United |
|
28 |
Nottingham Forest |
|
29 |
Cardiff City |
|
30 |
Ipswich Town or Bristol Rovers |
|
31 |
Fulham |
|
32 |
Crystal Palace or Stockport County |
While the exact dates of the fourth round matches will be made official at a later date and once the draw is complete, the matches will be played over the weekend of February 8/9.
There will be 16 games played up and down the country throughout the fourth round as the clubs approach the final on Saturday 17 May.