2024/25 FA Cup predictions: Third round | OneFootball

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

This is the stage of the world's oldest football competition when the top two divisions of the pyramid wade in. A breeding ground for upsets, fans perched in trees overlooking the stadium and an unrelenting reminder of the FA Cup's magical qualities.

For the first time in the 153-year history of the competition, all 32 fixtures will be concluded on the same day they kick off after replays were scrapped.

With the unpredictability of penalty shootouts added into the mix of a tournament which prides itself on unexpected results, here is 90min's best guess at the scores for this year's third round.

Thursday 9 January

Sean Dyche does not often prioritise cup competitions / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

Championship rivals Sheffield United and Cardiff City face off at Bramall Lane a matter of 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 favourites at home.

Sean Dyche has a reputation for prioritising league football over domestic cup duties, but usually helps his team advance beyond the third round. Everton were admittedly dumped out in the fourth round last year, but are expected to squeeze past third-tier Peterborough United on Thursday night.

Fulham are favourites heading into their third-round tie at home to second-tier Watford, but the Cottagers haven't beaten their upcoming opponents since they faced off at this stage of the same competition in 2005. Edwin van der Sar was in goal for the west London club that day.

Friday 10 January

Unai Emery has only reached one domestic cup final in his managerial career / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Wycombe Wanderers' red-hot run of form may have begun to cool in recent weeks, but the third-tier outfit could get the better of 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 a change of manager for the east London outfit, Villa should be expected to advance.

Saturday 11 January

Gary Neville's Salford City will be up against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City / Copa/GettyImages

There are 19 fixtures sandwiched into a six-hour window on Saturday afternoon. While Liverpool and Chelsea will likely make light work of fourth-tier strugglers Accrington Stanley and Morecambe respectively, there could be some upsets.

Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers have a tough trip to the home of a Bristol City side that are unbeaten since Christmas and relegation rivals Leicester City host an in-form Queens Park Rangers.

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

Pep Guardiola's side haven't impressed in either of their consecutive victories and may well concede chances in transition on Saturday night. Whether Salford maintain their parsimonious stretch in neighbouring Manchester is another matter entirely.

Sunday 12 January

Arsenal and Manchester United clashed last month / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

Arsenal's top-flight rematch with cup holders Manchester United may attract the most attention, but Tottenham Hotspur's trip to non-league Tamworth has the makings of an FA Cup classic for the ages. Spurs seem to emerge out of every match with fewer fit defenders and more pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou.

Success in the cup competitions is imperative for the Australian boss, whose side are naturally favourites against the National League strugglers. Yet, the intangible lustre of the FA Cup inevitably claims one almighty scalp each year. Could the 4,000-capacity Lamb Ground be the setting for this season's shock result? Probably not.

Newcastle United are - seemingly - in little danger of falling to that ignominious fate. Eddie Howe's royally in-form outfit host fourth-tier Bromley fresh from an efficient 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, their seventh victory on the spin.

Not only will the Gunners have to get to grips with the FA Cup ball, but they are hosting a Manchester United side that are no longer crippled by fear and anxiety. If United produce the same spirited performance which held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw at Anfield last weekend, Ruben Amorim's side may be capable of avoiding a second defeat at the Emirates in the space of a month.

In the event of a draw, 30 minutes of extra-time will be played before the last resort of penalties - which may have to be deployed to separate these two Premier League giants.

Monday 13 January

Millwall's new boss Alex Neil is yet to win a game / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

Mid-table Championship outfit Millwall conclude the third round by hosting fifth-tier Dagenham & Redbridge on Monday night. Alex Neil is yet to win a game since taking over 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 that 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 outfit have twice made it to the FA Cup semi-finals in the 21st century, losing the final to a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium back in 2004.