2024/25 FA Cup predictions: Third round inkeinspires

For many, the FA Cup third round is the most exciting weekend in the English football calendar.

It is the stadium of the oldest football competition in the world, where the first two divisions of the pyramid take the stage. A pitch ripe for surprises, fans perched in the trees overlooking the stadium and a relentless reminder of the magical qualities of the FA Cup.

For the first time in the competition’s 153-year history, all 32 matches will end on the same day they kick off after replays were abandoned.

With the unpredictability of penalty shootouts added to the mix in a tournament that prides itself on unexpected results, here is 90 minutes best estimate of this year’s third round scores.

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

Sean Dyche has a reputation for prioritizing Championship football over the domestic cup, but he usually helps his team progress beyond the third round. Everton were certainly eliminated in the fourth round last year, but should go beyond the third level. Peterborough United Thursday evening.

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

Wycombe TravelersThe red-hot form may have started to cool down in recent weeks, but the third-tier side could take over the Championship. Portsmouth Friday evening. Pompey may be in a higher division (this season) but have won just one of their 13 away games in 2024/25.

Villa Aston host West Ham United in an all-Premier League affair, all claret and blue. Even after a manager change for the east London side, Villa are expected to improve.

There are 19 games spread out over a six-hour window Saturday afternoon. While Liverpool And Chelsea will likely make it easier for fourth-tier wrestlers Accrington Stanley And Morecambe respectively, there could be upheavals.

Premier League Wrestlers Wolverhampton Wanderers have a difficult trip to someone’s home City of Bristol The team undefeated since Christmas and their relegation rivals Leicester City put on a match in form Queens Park Rangers.

Salford Town will aim for glory in the showpiece match of the day as they travel to Manchester City‘s Etihad Stadium at 5:45 p.m. GMT. The League Two promotion chasers, co-owned by a group of former Manchester United players, have won their last six matches without conceding a goal, a far more impressive record than that of their hosts.

Pep Guardiola’s side have failed to impress in any of their back-to-back wins and may well concede chances in transition on Saturday night. Whether Salford maintains its parsimonious reach into neighboring Manchester is another matter entirely.

ArsenalHigh-flying revenge with cup holders Manchester United may attract the most attention, but Tottenham Hotspurthe trip outside the league Tamworth has the makings of an FA Cup classic for the ages. Spurs appear to emerge from each game with fewer fit defenders and more pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.

Success in cup competitions is imperative for the Australian boss, whose team are natural favorites against the National League strugglers. Yet the intangible brilliance of the FA Cup inevitably claims an almighty scalp every year. Could the 4,000-capacity Lamb Ground be the scene of this season’s shock result? Probably not.

Newcastle United are – apparently – in little danger of suffering this ignominious fate. Eddie Howe’s royally fit outfit welcomes the fourth level Bromley fresh from an efficient 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final, their seventh victory on the spin.

Not only will the Gunners have FA Cup ball to tackle, but they will welcome a Manchester United side who are no longer paralyzed 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 could be able to avoid a second defeat at the Emirates in the space of a month.

In the event of a tie, 30 minutes of extra time will be played before the final resort to penalties – which may need to be deployed to separate these two Premier League giants.

Mid-table championship outfit Millwall conclude the third round by welcoming the fifth level Dagenham and Redbridge Monday evening. Alex Neil is yet to win a game since joining the Lions at the end of 2024, but will have the luxury of a ten-day break to prepare for the visit of a team who have also changed coaches over the festive period.

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

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