Barely Interesting 2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round Preview

We love FA Cup third and provide our 2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round preview as we do every year. usually to no one.

Some teams don’t take it as seriously as we do sadly, seeing it as a blast from the past which has no great relevance.

As do the broadcasters in Australia with no details on any of the games. Arseholes.

This year the FA Cup 3rd Round fixtures has seen a more equal grouping of matches over the Saturday – Sunday. Where before most of the games were a 3pm kick off on the Saturday, nd then all the good upset chances on the Sunday, they are now split into four groups of kick off times 12:30pm, 3pm, 5:30pm Saturday and 12pm Sunday. There’s still the token Friday night game of course.

Even if you only love the FA Cup 3rd Round half as much as us, then you might be barely interested in our  2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round Preview.

We have the full  2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round Preview with fixtures, barely interesting stats, and a bold prediction for all of the games. Not just those involving Premier League sides like other inferior efforts.

So enjoy our 2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round Preview.

2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round Preview – Barely Interesting Draw Facts

• Thee are just two Non League teams in the third round – former League Two escape artists Barnet in National League Premier, and Woking who are second in the NAtional League South (6th tier).
• There are 14 matches that don’t feature an EPL side, meaning at least 14 teams from the lower leagues will get a chance in the fourth round.
• At least one League One side will progress out of AFC Wimbledon and Fleetwood.
• No surprise that the clashes with the highest combined league position (taking 1 – 100+ across the levels) feature the two Non League sides – Sheffield Utd v Barnet (129 Places combined) – Woking v Watford (127). Next best is the all League One clash of Fleetwood v AFC Wimbledon at 123.
• The biggest difference in overall leagues position are the matches featuring:
  • Crystal Palace v Grimsby Town
  • Everton v Lincoln
  • Fulham v Oldham
  • Tranmere v Spurs
  • Newport v Leicester
• The matches with the smallest difference in overall league position are:
  • Bournemouth v Brighton 
  • Aston Villa v Swansea (2)
  • Millwall v Hull (6)
  • QPR v Leeds (8)
  • Liverpool v Wolves
• Using the teams current league position, the match with the lowest average of league position are:
  • Norwich v Portsmouth (1.5)
  • QPR v Leeds (5)
  • Everton v Lincoln
  • Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
  • Tranmere v Spurs
  • Woking v Watford
• Six of these clashes have only been played previously in their respective league within the last month.

2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round Preview – Upset Selection

Here’s our favourite potential upsets for the FA Cup 3rd Round preview. Read more in the match by match preview below.

Shrewsbury Town 1 Stoke City 0
Derby 2 Southampton 1
Accrington 2 Ipswich 1
Middlesbrough 1 Peterborough 2
Bristol City 2 Huddersfield 0
Newcastle 1 Blackburn 2
Barnsley 1 Burnley 0
Everton 1 Lincoln 1
Gillingham 0 Cardiff 0

2018-19 FA Cup 3rd Round Preview – Match by Match

FRIDAY- Kick Off 7:45pm UK

TRANMERE ROVERS (9th L2) v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

H2H All: Tranmere 0 Spurs 6 Draw 2
H2H FA Cup: Tranmere 0 Spurs 2 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2002 – FA Cup – Spurs 4 Tranmere 0

Preview: Spurs are flying high in the Premier League, trying to talk themselves into a title challenge, so it is hard to know how serious they will take this match, a good chance for the squad however to get a chance to shine. What usually happens in these games is the plucky home side holds out until the big side eventually brings on all the big guns to score two late goals. 

Still could be tough for Spurs as only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals at home than Tranmere this season. But Spurs are the best away side in the top four tiers.

Barely Interesting Fact: The last time these teams met was in 2001/02 when Tranmere met Spurs in both League and FA Cup, and were beaten 4-0 both times.

Prediction: Tranmere 0 Spurs 2

SATURDAY – Kick Off 12:30pm UK

BOURNEMOUTH v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

H2H All: Bournemouth 42 Brighton 36 Draw 29
H2H FA Cup: Bournemouth 1 Brighton 1
Last Meeting: 2018 (Dec 22) – EPL – Bournemouth 2 Brighton 0

Preview: This looks like another home win for Bournemouth given their decent home record and recent win, and Brighton’s reasonably bad away form. Bournemouth have lost a lot of games in the Premier League lately, and a win here and a cup run, might turn things around. Brighton however have only not cleared the third round once in the last 9 seasons.

Barely Interesting Fact: Brighton have not beaten Bournemouth since they were in League One together in 2008.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2 Brighton 1

WEST HAM v BIRMINGHAM CITY (8th Champ)

H2H All: West Ham 32 Birmingham 40 Draw 22
H2H FA Cup: West Ham 2 Birmingham 1
Last Meeting: 2012 – Champ – Draw 3-3

Preview: The FA Cup is something that the Hammers should really go for. It looks likely that they will finish in the tight midfield bunch, so why not win something for a change. Birmingham are in the mix for the promotion places in the Championship, and a chance at a return to the Premier League will surely mean that they will not take this game too seriously. Each team’s home and away record respectively is about even.

Barely Interesting Fact: The away side has scored in all of the last six matches.

Prediction: West Ham 1 Birmingham 1

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4th Champ) v WIGAN ATHLETIC (20th Champ)

H2H All: West Brom 7 Wigan 8 Draw 3
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: 2018 (Dec 26) – West Brom 2 Wigan 0

Preview: Former Premier League teams meet, one a very recent demotion, the other a little while ago, but are a recent FA Cup winner. Taking that trophy to the second division with them. West Brom are currently the best of the relegated sides, and only one in the top six. Wigan are struggling but should avoid another dip back into the third tier. Probably one of those ties where neither team really cares. They should know each other, they only played on Boxing Day.

Barely Interesting Fact: Only Liverpool and Manchester City have scored more goals per game this season in the four tiers of UK football than West Brom. 

Prediction: West Brom 3 Wigan 1

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (16th Champ) v Luton Town (3rd L1)

H2H All: Sheff Wed 21 Luton 16 Draw 20
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: 2007 – L1 – Luton 3 Sheff Wed 2

Preview: Before Sheffield Wednesday sacked their manager recently, this looked a real good chance of an upset. They’ve had 2 wins and a draw since, and now Steve Bruce has been named as their new incoming manager, so they will all be out to impress. Luton Town are going strong in League One, their first in the third division after promotion from League Two. They have one of the best home records in UK football, and not too bad way either.

Barely Interesting Fact: In 2013 Luton Town beat then Premier League side Norwich whilst playing from Non League. Away from home.

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 2 Luton Town 1

MANCHESTER UNITED v READING (23rd Champ)

H2H All: Man Utd 12 Reading 1 Draw 7
H2H FA Cup: Man Utd 8 Reading 1 Draw 5
Last Meeting: 2017 – FA Cup – Man Utd 4 Reading 0

Preview: Another easy third round draw for Manchester United, as Reading are not going well in the Championship. Coincidentally, both of these team got new managers within days of each other, and whilst it has worked wonders for the Premier League side, Reading have a draw from four games to show.

Barely Interesting Fact: The only time Reading have beaten Man Utd was in a replay in the FA Cup in 1927.

Prediction: Man Utd 5 Reading 1

SHREWSBURY TOWN (16th L1) v STOKE CITY (14th Champ)

H2H All: Stoke 6 Shrewsbury 6 Draw 5
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: 2010 – League Cup – Stoke 2 Shrewsbury 1

Preview: These are two teams they are surely having seasons that are well below expectations. Stoke were expected to be strong Championship promotion candidates given their strong squad and the fact they weren’t to awful in the EPL the previous season. 14th is hardly setting the world on fire and neither is the eight point gap to the top six. Shrewsbury were the unexpected success story of last season, finishing third but failing in the playoff final. They would probably take 16th a few seasons ago when they were battling relegation. There’s a little cheer here waiting for one side.

Barely Interesting Fact: These teams last met in the League in 1992 way down in the third tier.

Prediction: Shrewsbury Town 1 Stoke City 0

BURNLEY v BARNSLEY (4th L1)

H2H All: Burnley 32 Barnsley 19 Draw 17
H2H FA Cup: Burnley 1 Barnsley 1
Last Meeting: 2014 – Champ – Barnsley 0 Burnley 1

Preview: A game featuring two sides who we wager would have got muddled about before Burnley’s prolonged stay in the Premier League. Burnley heroics of last season are in contrast to this season’s struggle. Barnsley are quite the opposite, making a good fist of it in League One after relegation the previous year from the Championship. 

Barely Interesting Fact: No side has scored more than one goal in the last five meetings.

Prediction: Barnsley 1 Burnley 0

SATURDAY – Kick Off 3pm UK

CHELSEA v NOTTINGHAM FOREST (7th Champ)

H2H All: Chelsea 38 Forest 25 Draw 28
H2H FA Cup: Chelsea 3 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2017 – League Cup – Chelsea 5 Forest 1

Preview: Two former European Champions, one requiring a load of Russian money, the other just Brian Clough. Chelsea are having a reasonable first season with their new manager, and are in the League Cup semis, but will no doubt take the FA Cup as seriously as ever. Nottingham Forest are seventh and four points from the promotion places, but they broke a 5 game winless run last time out with a come from behind 4-2 win over leaders Leeds Utd who had a man sent off. They have the most draws away in the Championship, but that probably won’t help them.

Barely Interesting Fact: Last Forest win over Chelsea was back in their Premier League days in 1997.

Prediction: Chelsea 4 Forest 1

DERBY COUNTY (6th Champ) v SOUTHAMPTON

H2H All: Derby 27 Southampton 21 Draw 22
H2H FA Cup: Derby 3 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2012 – Champ – Soton 4 Derby 0

Preview: Derby County are doing what they always seem to do in the Championship, get their fans excited at another possible tilt at promotion, mixed in with a lot of mixed results. They are currently sixth, and they have only lost twice at home this season, although currently on a run of three straight draws. But maybe this is the year. Southampton looked busted arse under Mark Hughes, but their new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has breathed new life and competitiveness into them. Whether they want to waste that on a FA Cup run is unknown. Please note: that Derby County usually go by the name Frank Lampard’s Derby County in other mainstream reporting.

Barely Interesting Fact: Derby not beaten Southampton since the Championship promotion playoffs in 2007. The following season saw Derby have the worst Premier League season ever.

Prediction: Derby 2 Southampton 1

ACCRINGTON STANLEY (12th L1) v IPSWICH TOWN (24th Champ)

H2H All: NA
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: NA

Preview: Accrington were flying high earlier in the season, defying everything to be in the top six in League One despite being one of the smallest clubs in the four divisions. 12th is still a very commendable effort for such a small club. Ipswich are the worst team in the four divisions, and have an appalling recent FA Cup record. They also haven’t won an FA Cup third round match since 2010. If only that was their biggest problem. 

Barely Interesting Fact: These sides have never met.

Prediction: Accrington 2 Ipswich 1

EVERTON v LINCOLN (1st L2)

H2H All: Everton 3 Lincoln 1 Draw 2
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: 1993 – League Cup Everton 4 Lincoln 2

Preview: Lincoln provided the entertainment two FA Cups ago with their huge run to the Quarter Finals as a Non League team, a rarity for them as they only made the third round of the FA Cup four times in the past 40 years. They have since been promoted from Non League, won the Checkatrade Trophy, and are currently 1st in League One. And developed a corner set play borrowed by England at the World Cup. Can they beat Everton? Probably not, if Everton are at full strength. If not, Lincoln are a great chance of an upset here. Everton have lost two games either side of a big 5-1 win over Burnley in their last five games, so even the first team is not in sparkling form.

Barely Interesting Fact: Everton have only got past Round 3 once in the last four seasons. 

Prediction: Everton 1 Lincoln 1

GILLINGHAM (18th L1) v CARDIFF CITY

H2H All: Gillingham 18 Cardiff 14 Draw 8
H2H FA Cup: Gillingham 1 Cardiff 2 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2005 – Champ – Draw 1-1

Preview: A match of strugglers in each of their divisions, Gillingham are just four points clear of the drop, Cardiff now just two after their recent loss at home to Spurs. Gillingham don’t have a great home record, but it is better than Cardiff’s one win away from home this season. Gillingham last beat Cardiff in the third division in 1999/2000. The game has the potential to be a stinker, although Cardiff will probably give a run to a bunch of plyers who don’t usually get a look in and they set the game alight.

Barely Interesting Fact: Gillingham’s last Round 3 appearance was back in 2013, Cardiff made the final as a Championship side in 2008.

Prediction: Draw 0-0

BRENTFORD (18th Champ) v OXFORD UNITED (23rd L1)

H2H All: Brentford 17 Oxford 10 Draw 8
H2H FA Cup: Brentford 1 Oxford 1 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2015 – League Cup – Brentford 0 Oxford 4

Preview: Brentford have slumped since losing their manager to Aston Villa, they have won two games from their last 14 in the Championship. A shame as they were looked upon as a club to follow with no Premier League background or heavily backed owners. Oxford are struggling even worse in second last in League One, in the same period since Brentford got a new manager they have won just three times. This should be a game to cheer one set of fans up and provide some relief from a fading League season.

Barely Interesting Fact: Brentford have never beaten Oxford in the League Cup for no good reason.

Prediction: Brentford 2 Oxford 0

ASTON VILLA (10th Champ) v SWANSEA CITY (12th Champ)

H2H All: Villa 17 Swansea 9 Draw 3
H2H FA Cup: Villa 2 Swansea/Draw 0
Last Meeting: 2018 (Dec 26) – Champ – Swansea 0 Villa 1

Preview: Another match featuring sides who have just played, the previous version of this game coming just on Boxing Day. Former Premier League mainstays Aston Villa have spent more time in the Championship than they probably imagined when first relegated. This is their third season in the second division, but a far better result than Sunderland’s we guess. Aston Villa have not got past the third round of the FA Cup since being relegated. Swansea know about relegation too, having dropped into the Championship for this season. Swansea’s form has been patchy throughout the season, which justifies their 12th position. They have been one of just two teams to lose to Ipswich Town this season. Their recent away form reads – LWLWLW – so you could guess what the next result will be, and we have.

Barely Interesting Fact: This match features the teams separated by the smallest margin in relation to overall league position.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2 Swansea 0

FLEETWOOD TOWN (11th L1)  v AFC WIMBLEDON (24th L1) 

H2H All: Fleetwood 2 Wimbledon 6 Draw 5
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: 2018 – L1 – Fleetwood 0 Wimbledon 1

Preview: A rare all League One clash, ensuring at least one third tier team will see the fourth round. This game could provide some joy for Wimbledon fans, whose team sits bottom of League One. New manager Wally Downes has stopped the worst of the form, they had lost eight games in a row earlier in the season, but there still haven’t been enough wins to get them out of the bottom four. Yet. A cup run to find some form might be just what they need. Fleetwood are currently managed by former Premier League firebrand Joey Barton, who has done a good job so far in his first big gig. There is some history between these sides, Wimbledon did beat Fleetwood over two legs of the Conference playoffs in their promotion winning season in 2011.

Barely Interesting Fact: The old Wimbledon, which is linked to AFC Wimbledon, won the FA Cup in 1988, just 11 seasons after they entered the Football League via the fourth tier.

Prediction: Fleetwood 0 Wimbledon 1

BOLTON WANDERERS (22nd Champ) v WALSALL (15th L1)

H2H All: Bolton 11 Walsall 8 Draws 4
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: 2017 – L1 – Bolton 4 Walsall 1

Preview: Bolton are really struggling on and off the pitch. Third last in the Championship, and loads of financial issues off it. Not a good mix if they want to avoid another drop to League One, something they narrowly avoided last year. Talking of League One, Walsall are the most League One side currently having been in the division since 2007 and their midfield obscurity means very few will know much about Walsall at this time of the year. They have finished between 9th and 14th seven times out of their 11 seasons, and look a good chance to strengthen that stat by the end of the season.

Barely Interesting Fact: Walsall have only beaten Bolton once away from home.

Prediction: Bolton 2 Walsall 0

MIDDLESBROUGH (5th Champ) v PETERBOROUGH (7th L1)

H2H All: Middlesbrough 8 Peterborough 2 Draw 8
H2H FA Cup: Middlesbrough 1 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2013 – Champ – Draw 0-0.

Preview: Middlesbrough are doing exactly what you would expect any Tony Pulis side to do, be competitive (currently 5th) and provide very little excitement in the process. Which is in stark contrast to Peterborough, who yo-yo between League One and the Championship, but always seem to entertain. Peterborough’s games this season has seen an average of 3.4 per game (combining for and against), where Middlesbrough’s goals average is just 1.7. Although they are conceding 0.7 goals per game. Peterborough have a decent away record for 8 wins and 3 draws from 13 matches. Middlesbrough’s home record is comparable, but not the goals scored – they have the second lowest goals scored at home in the Championship.

Barely Interesting Fact: Used it all above.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 1 Peterborough 2

SATURDAY – Kick Off 5:30pm UK

BLACKPOOL (9th L1) v ARSENAL

H2H All: Blackpool 15 Arsenal 45 Draw 24
H2H FA Cup: Blackpool 2 Arsenal 1 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2018 – League Cup – Arsenal 2 Blackpool 1

Preview: Blackpool have already met Arsenal in a cup this season, where they did an admirable job but fell short 2-1. This time they get to take on the Premier Club at their own ground in the north-west, not a great region for recent Arsenal away trips. Arsenal are doing just about what they did last year with Wenger, minus the protesting, and it will be interesting to see how serious they take the clash. Blackpool keep things reasonably tight, but haven’t faced an arsenal of attack that their visitors possess in League One.

Barely Interesting Fact: Blackpool last beat Arsenal in a 3rd Round FA Cup replay in 1970,

Prediction: Blackpool 0 Arsenal 2

NORWICH CITY (2nd Champ) v PORTSMOUTH (1st L1)

H2H All: Norwich 23 Portsmouth 20 Draw 15
H2H FA Cup: Portsmouth 1 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2011 – Champ – Portsmouth 0 Norwich 1

Preview: The weekend best match up based on current league positions, and both looking good for promotion at the end of the season. For Portsmouth it will be a long way back from almost going bust and the fourth division. For Norwich life doesn’t get any better, with them set for promotion and local rivals Ipswich looking certainties for the drop. Both teams have great away form, with one loss on the road this season, only bettered by Liverpool, and Mansfield Town. This could be an upset if it were not for Norwich’s ability to score late goals and steal games.

Barely Interesting Fact: Both teams lead their division for best away record.

Prediction: Norwich 3 Portsmouth 2

NEWCASTLE v BLACKBURN (15th Champ)

H2H All: Newcastle 58 Blackburn 55 Draw 30
H2H FA Cup: Newcastle 6 Blackburn 2 Draw 3
Last Meeting: 2017 – Champ – Blackburn 1 Newcastle 0

Preview: An interesting clash between two of Alan Shearer’s big clubs. Blackburn are doing well on their way back from the third tier, a fate brought on by owners who had not done their best for the club. May sound familiar to Newcastle fans, but at least they only dropped to the Championship a couple of times recently. Despite looking reasonably safe in 15th, Blackburn haven’t won in seven away games. That’s OK though, as Newcastle are the second worst home team in the Premier League, and have scored just seven goals at home this season. Watch out for Bradley Dack for Blackburn, who should be on some mid to lower EPL team’s shopping lists.

Barely Interesting Fact: 2011-12 saw these two sides meet four times in a year – 2 in the League and once in each cup. Newcastle won three of them.

Prediction: Newcastle 1 Blackburn 2

BRISTOL CITY (11th Champ) v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

H2H All:Bristol 20 Huddersfield 25 Draw 11
H2H FA Cup: Bristol 1 Huddersfield 1
Last Meeting: 2017 – Champ – Bristol 4 Huddersfield 0

Preview: Few can probably remember now, but Bristol City had a great cup run in last year’s League Cup, making it to the semi finals and pushing the then unstoppable Manchester City all the way before going down 5-3 on aggregate. It did however ruin their promotion chasing season in the league. Huddersfield may have the worst home record in the EPL, but Bristol City’s home form is the fourth worst in the Championship. Bristol are unbeaten in their last eight, with a number of draws in there. Neither club wants a draw this time.

Barely Interesting Fact: Huddersfield have the lowest goals scored per game average in all four divisions.

Prediction: Bristol City 2 Huddersfield 0

CRYSTAL PALACE v GRIMSBY TOWN (13th L2)

H2H All: Crystal Palace 21 Grimsby 16 Draw 3
H2H FA Cup: Grimsby 1
Last Meeting: 2003 – Champ – Grimsby 1 Crystal Palace 4

Preview: People may recall Grimsby more for a recent movie than their struggles in Non League, and eventual promotion back into the Football League and current 13th position in the fourth tier. They are one of the handful of League Two sides that have made it this far, and have been rewarded with a Premier League opponent that are beatable. Crystal Palace have only scored five goals at home this season, not that Grimsby are that prolific away, but it may end up a tight, scrappy affair. Unless Zaha works his magic against lower league defences, if he plays. Crystal Palace will want to be near full strength otherwise an embarrassing exit at home to  League Two side awaits.

Barely Interesting Fact: Grimsby have won the only FA Cup clash between these sides – in 1908.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1 Grimsby 0

SUNDAY – Kick Off 2:00pm UK

MANCHESTER CITY v ROTHERHAM UNITED (21st Champ)

H2H All: Man City 7 Draw 3
H2H FA Cup: Man City 1 Draw 1
Last Meeting: 2002 – Champ – Rotherham 1 Man City 1

Preview: Not a big turnaround for Manchester City who only played on Thursday night in the big top of the table clash with Liverpool. Their recent form in the league has been less majestic than the previous season, and despite the squad rotation for this game they should power past the Millers. Rotherham have been hovering just above relegation in the Championship all season, their last start win gives them a three point buffer on the bottom three. They are yet to win way against second division opposition, so beating Man City away looks very unlikely.

Barely Interesting Fact: Rotherham have never beaten Manchester City.

Prediction: Manchester City 7 Rotherham 0

FULHAM v OLDHAM (10th L2)

H2H All: Fulham 19 Oldham 18 Draw 11
H2H FA Cup: Fulham 1
Last Meeting: 1998 – L1 – Fulham 1 Oldham 0

Preview: Oldham finally dropped out of League One, after what seemed to be a decade of avoiding the drop into the fourth tier. That’s after 21 straight seasons in the third division, with an average finishing position of 17th this decade. So 10th is not a bad place to be at this stage of the season, and they are only five points from fourth place. Considering they sacked their manager after a 6-0 loss three games ago, and have seen two wins since. Fulham have their shiny new manager who is starting to turn things around. and Premier League survival will be their main focus. They still should beat Oldham with their squad.

Barely Interesting Fact: Oldham have the most recently sacked manager in all four divisions.

Prediction: Fulham 3 Oldham 0

MILLWALL (19th Champ) v HULL CITY (13th Champ)

H2H All: Millwall 21 Hull 23 Draw 18
H2H FA Cup: Hull 1
Last Meeting: 2018 (Dec 8) – Millwall 2 Hull 2

Preview: This could be a decent battle of Championship sides, with both sides in some decent form. Hull have won five games straight now to climb up to a 13th position that looked very unlikely a few months ago. They thrashed Bolton 6-0 in the previous match. Milwall too had a decent result last start getting their first away win of the season, albeit against Ipswich Town. That puts them on a three game winning run now, which has seen them edge clear of trouble for now. Millwall have a good recent history of cup runs. Hull are not too bad either, making it past the third round six of the last seven seasons, and made the final in 2014.

Barely Interesting Fact: Millwall have made a semi final and a quarter final this decade. And famously a final in the prior decade with Tim Cahill.

Prediction: Millwall 2 Hull 1

PRESTON NORTH END (17th Champ) v DONCASTER ROVERS (6th L1)

H2H All: Preston 15 Doncaster 10 Draw 9
H2H FA Cup: Preston 1
Last Meeting: 2015 – L1 – Preston 2 Doncaster 0

Preview: This could be one of the mini upsets of the third round, with League One Doncaster every chance to beat Preston, their last six form being the second best in the league. The game should feature a few goals, Preston are big scorers at home, and Doncaster have scored the second most goals on the road this season in League One at just under two a game.

Barely Interesting Fact: Despite being 17th in home form in the Championship, Preston have scored the third most goals.

Prediction: Preston 1 Doncaster 2

QUEENS PARK RANGERS (9th Champ) v LEEDS UNITED (1st Champ)

H2H All: QPR 18 Leeds 23 Draw 16
H2H FA Cup: QPR 1 Leeds 1
Last Meeting: 2018 (Dec 8) – CHAMP – Leeds 2 QPR 1

Preview: With Leeds on top and striving for automatic promotion and QPR amongst the group trying to break into the top six for the playoffs, it is hard to know how serious either team will take this game. Leeds have the advantage from their recent meeting, which was QPR’s only loss in their last six. Both clubs are in the top six for last six game form, QPR’s last six form at home is in the top two. FA Cup third round pedigree goes against QPR though.

Barely Interesting Fact: QPR have only made it past the third round three times since 2000.

Prediction: QPR 1 Leeds 2

SHEFFIELD UNITED (3rd Champ) v BARNET (14th National League Premier)

H2H All: NA
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: NA

Preview: Sheffield United are going very well in the Championship, sitting third and primed to take advantage of a Leeds/Norwich slip up. They have quite a good record in the FA Cup recently too, despite spending a number of years in League One. The Blades have only failed to make it past the third round six times since 2000. Their opponents Barnet have only made it to the third round seven times in their history. Although they did have a nice run of three consecutive fourth round appearances in 06-07-08. Barnet seemed to experts of just avoiding relegation from League Two, but they have eventually ended up in Non League, where they are currently midfield. They were in the bottom four early.

Barely Interesting Fact: Sheffield United made the semi finals in 2013-14 when still playing in the third tier.

Prediction: Sheffield Utd 4 Barnet 1

WOKING (2nd National League South) v WATFORD

H2H All: NA
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: NA

Preview: Woking have done well to make it this far from the sixth tier, they have already played five FA Cup games already, having to come through the qualifying rounds. They won four of the games to nil, and the last two were on the road. They’ve only lost three times at home this season,helping them to second in the table. Watford are having a decent season themselves sitting in the tight midfield bunch battling for best of the rest. Watford are inconsistent on the road with three of each before their midweek clash at Bournemouth, and never two of the same results in a row.

Barely Interesting Fact: This game features the longest gap in overall league positions, unsurprisingly with a six tier team involved.

Prediction: Woking 1 Watford 4

SUNDAY – Kick Off 4:30pm UK

NEWPORT COUNTY (12th L2) v LEICESTER CITY

H2H All: NA
H2H FA Cup: NA
Last Meeting: NA

Preview: Leicester have recently beaten both Chelsea and Manchester City in the League, but then followed that up by handing Cardiff a first win on the road. so hard to know what to expect from the Foxes. Like many of the midfield teams, where relegation would be quite unlikely, they should take the FA Cup seriously and have a go, and facing League Two opposition gives them an advantage. Newport County were going nicely in League Two, but  run of four losses and a draw in five games has seen them slip into the midfield.

Barely Interesting Fact: Newport have only lost twice at home this season in League Two, but have conceded the third most goals.

Prediction: Newport 1 Leicester 3

MONDAY – Kick Off 7:45pm UK

WOLVES v LIVERPOOL

H2H All: Wolves 35 Liverpool 50 Draw 17
H2H FA Cup: Wolves 4 Liverpool 2
Last Meeting: 2018 (Dec 21) – Wolves 0 Liverpool 2

Preview: The FA Cup third round ends off with a clash of two of the Premier League’s overachieving sides. Liverpool are starting to gain real title momentum, and Wolves continue to impress as the best promoted side in decades. You know Liverpool will rest players given they have the title and Champions League to worry about, so perhaps Wolves could have a real go at them. An upset of Liverpool and a decent cup run will complement their eventual seventh place finish. As good as the two sides are, a pity one of the TV clashes always has to be an all EPL affair. FA Cup is time to show something different.

Barely Interesting Fact: Wolves beat Liverpool in the FA Cup away just two season ago 2-1.

Prediction: Wolves 0 Liverpool 3