The third round of the FA Cup sees all of the Premier League sides incorporated into the draw, with some big matchups taking place this weekend, even in these early stages of the tournament.
We preview the best of the action below.
Manchester United v Everton – Friday 20:00
Manchester United have forced their way firmly into the conversation for a top four place after four successive league victories, which leaves Erik ten Haag’s men level on points with third-placed Newcastle having played a game less. The Red Devils haven’t lost a game at Old Trafford since the opening match of the season, winning eight of their nine fixtures in all competitions at the Theatre of Dreams, and will start Friday’s clash as firm 4/9 favourites.
Everton continue to disappoint domestically and are currently winless in seven games in all competitions, culminated by a dismal 4-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Tuesday. The Toffees have already been eliminated from one domestic trophy after being thrashed 4-1 by Bournemouth in the League Cup in November, so will be hoping they can find some respite in the form of a decent FA Cup run – a tournament they last reached the final in in 2009.
Frank Lampard’s men haven’t won at Old Trafford in eight attempts – their last triumph coming in 2013 against old manager David Moyes – and are accordingly priced at 11/2 to secure an unlikely victory.
It’s difficult to predict which personnel each manager will turn to in these cup ties, particularly amidst a pretty congested period for Premier League football, but the likes of Alejandro Garnacho (13/5) and Anthony Elanga (29/10) could be a decent punt to be an anytime goalscorer for the hosts.
Liverpool v Wolves – Saturday 20:00
Despite recently composing a four-game winning run, their longest of the season so far, Liverpool’s 3-1 loss to Brentford on Monday reminded fans of the Reds just how delicately their campaign’s aspirations hang. An unaddressed void in midfield renders even a top-four push as a massive challenge, especially as they remain in four demanding competitions as a new year dawns.
Two of those four competitions include both domestic knockout trophies that they won last year, with Saturday’s visit of Wolves the first time they’ll start an FA Cup tie as the current holders since 2006. Part of Jurgen Klopp may be relieved if the Reds end up sacrificing one of those competitions, but they will nonetheless start Saturday’s encounter as comfortable 1/4 favourites.
Wolves have made a robust start to life under Julen Lopetegui, following up Boxing Day’s late win over Everton with a valiant effort, though unsuccessful, against an in-form Manchester United at Molineux. The west Midlands side have however failed to keep a clean sheet away from home since a 0-0 draw against Bournemouth in August, with a trip to Anfield under the lights hardly an ideal environment to go about correcting such a record. They will begin their FA Cup campaign as 17/2 underdogs for victory.
Saturday could be the opportunity for January signing Cody Gakpo to make his Reds debut, with the Dutch forward priced at 7/2 to net the first goal, which seems good value given the frequency with which new Liverpool purchases tend to hit the ground running. As for the visitors, Diego Costa scored on his first appearance at Anfield for Chelsea back in 2014, and is 24/5 to repeat that feat against a Liverpool back line that won’t feature the recently-injured Virgil van Dijk.
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Manchester City v Chelsea – Sunday 16:30
Arguably the tie of the weekend takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, with Premier League champions Manchester City taking on eight-time FA Cup winners Chelsea. Sunday’s clash will be the third time these sides have faced each other already this season, after Pep Guardiola’s men coasted to a 2-0 victory in the League Cup before the World Cup break, with a visit to Stamford Bridge also on the cards this Thursday night.
City have just started to show glimpses that Arsenal’s ever-increasing lead at the top of the Premier League table is starting to affect them, enduring back-to-back winless games at the Etihad – the first time that’s occurred since May 2021. Despite this wobble in domestic form, the Citizens remain a powerhouse in knockout competitions, and are priced at 4/9 to advance to the fourth round this weekend.
Chelsea continue to slide under Graham Potter, with one win in seven league games seeing the west Londoners drop to tenth in the table. The Blues will point to injury problems that have seen some key players sidelined for most of the season – notably Reece James and N’Golo Kante – but this campaign already has a feel of damage limitation about it. They will travel to Manchester on Sunday as major underdogs, priced at 11/2 for victory.
Phil Foden has been out of favour in the league for the hosts since returning from the World Cup, so he could be given some minutes this weekend to build up match fitness. The England winger is 2/1 to net anytime, with Norwegian striker Erling Haaland predictably leading the betting at 11/20.
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