Analysis of the FA Cup third round draw - Part 2
As we continue from part 1, here's the second half of the fixtures that will take place in the FA Cup.
West Bromwich Albion vs Derby County
9th placed Championship side Derby County will travel to West Bromwich Albion, in the hopes of pulling off an upset against the Premier League outfit. Derby have won five league games in a row, whereas West Brom are unbeaten in four Premier League outings.
The last time the two teams met in 2010, Derby lost the game 3-1 in the Championship. In the FA Cup, a 2001 fixture between the two saw Derby win 3-2, in the third round as well at Pride Park.
Prediction : Premier League club West Brom to comfortably beat Derby.
Everton vs Leicester City
Everton are 8th in the league, with some questionable performances. Leicester meanwhile have experienced a rather horrible title defence, sitting at 16th on the table. However, the current champions have seen some spectacular performances in Europe. They'll be hoping to continue that form in the FA Cup.
Both the teams aren’t in contention for the title, so will be hoping to go as far as possible. They will be slightly disappointed with the draw, having to face such tough opposition so early in the cup, but a win here could take them far.
Prediction : Leicester City to handle Everton and go through to the next round.
Liverpool vs Plymouth/Newport County
Liverpool will welcome either Newport County or Plymouth Argyle to Anfield, as they kick off their cup campaign. Both clubs are in League two and Newport are at the bottom while Argyle are third. Three very contrasting stories.
The League Two sides played out a 0-0 draw, and will be forced to play a replay, as the winners will get ready to face Liverpool. Liverpool find an easy draw on their hands, and have not played either of the two teams in a long long time (the last meeting happening in 1962).
Prediction : Klopp’s men shouldn’t find this fixture too hard.
Wycombe Wanderers vs Stourbridge/Northampton
Gareth Ainsworth's Wycombe Wanderers will face either the lowest-ranked side in the competition, Stourbridge or the side they previously defeated 3-0 in the Checkatrade Trophy, Northampton. The two sides will face each other again in a forced replay after their previous match got cancelled due to a frozen pitch.
Prediction :This is where the road ends for Stourbridge. Wycombe Wanderers to secure the tie.
Watford vs Burton Albion
Burton Albion will visit Premier League outfit, Watford, as they hope to beat the side and progress into the next round. The club were automatically drawn into the third round due to their positioning in the Championship this season.
They will now travel to Vicarage Road in hopes of progressing to the next round. Albion manager, meanwhile, was pleased with the draw. "It's a Premier League club away and that will be good experience for everybody. We will be able to test ourselves against them," he said.
"For our supporters, who are enjoying going to Championship clubs this season, they are able to go to a Premier League club now.”
Prediction : Watford to sweep aside Burton Albion.
Preston North End vs Arsenal
Preston North End will face the Gunners, in a match that is certain to generate a lot of live interest. This is the first time the two sides have faced each other since 1999, in which Arsenal comfortably won by 2 goals to 1 in Highbury.
Preston are currently 14th in the Championship, 15 points off the top of the table. Having spent four seasons in League One, this is their first year back in the Championship. Arsenal meanwhile are second on the table. With 31 points, they are 3 points away from leaders Chelsea.
Prediction : Arsenal to win quite easily
Cardiff City vs Fulham
London outfit Fulham will travel to Cardiff. The last time these two sides met in the Championship, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. On the league table, Fulham are 10th with 28 points, while Cardiff are 22nd with 19 points. The distance between the two teams gives you a rough idea as to how the team's performances have been this year.
Prediction : Fulham to win.
Stoke City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves will travel to the bet365 Stadium, as they face Stoke City in the third round. The two have met each other seven times since first meeting in 1895 for this very competition. Wolves lead the charts with six wins against Stoke compared to the Premier League club's one.
However, their fortunes have changed, with the Wanderers in the Championship while Stoke City are still grinding it out in the top flight of English football.
Prediction : Premier League Stoke City to grab an easy win.
Cambridge United vs Leeds United
Cambridge United are set to face Leeds in the third round. The League two outfit believe they've done well for themselves, especially by drawing such a historic club that plays in the Championship. Current Cambridge manager Shaun Derry, previously played at Elland Road which will just add more perspective to a rather exciting fixture. Cambridge United are definitely up for a big payout if the broadcast companies pick up their match to be telecast.
Prediction : Leeds United should use their experience to see out Cambridge United.
Bristol City vs Shrewsbury/Fleetwood
The last time League 1 sides, Shrewsbury and Fleetwood met, they played out a 1-1 draw. Hence, forcing a replay which will decide who will face Championship side Bristol City. Fleetwood are currently 8th in the League, while Shrewsbury are right at the bottom. The fixture in itself has immense history, which will be quite a spectacle in itself.
Prediction : Bristol City to win.
Huddersfield Town vs Port Vale
Huddersfield Town are set to meet Port Vale in the third round. The last time they met, Huddersfield were leading 3-1 with 25 minutes to play, but Port Vale fought back to win 4-3. Huddersfield fans this time around, are extremely confident of running out the eventual winners.
Prediction : Huddersfield to get revenge and qualify.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa will travel to London, as they face a high-flying Tottenham. The first game will be played at White Hart Lane, giving Spurs all the advantage they need. For Aston Villa, it will be a chance to test themselves in front of a tough opposition.
Spurs previously lost 2-0 to Premier League champions Leicester City, in a third round replay, and will be hoping to go further this time around. Villa who are currently 15th in the Championship, have won the FA Cup on seven different occasions. They reached the final in 2015, but lost to a very good Arsenal side.
Prediction : Tottenham will be too much to handle, but an upset could be on the cards.
Brentford vs Eastleigh/Halifax
Martin Allen's Eastleigh scored twice in the dying minutes of their game against Halifax, as they forced a replay. The non-league sides will then face a visit to Griffin Park, as they take on Londoners Brentford. They will, for the first time in their history, face Eastleigh. Halifax Town on the other hand last met Brentford in 1999. An exciting fixture indeed.
Prediction : Brentford to use their experience and go through to the next round.
Bolton Wanderers vs Crystal Palace
Bolton Wanderers are set to welcome the Eagles for their FA Cup third round tie. Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace have faced Bolton only once in the FA Cup, in 1982, which finished 1-0 to the Eagles.
All eyes will be on former Bolton player Chung-Yong Lee, who moved to Selhurst Park in 2015. He scored one of Bolton's most famous FA Cup goals, as the side beat Birmingham to move into the semi-finals.
Prediction : Crystal Palace to go through without difficulty.
Norwich City vs Southampton City
Norwich City have some experience facing the Saints, despite currently playing in the Championship, and are well versed with the working of the club. The fixture will see former Norwich winger Nathan Redmond, most likely featuring.
Southampton are currently 12th in the Premier League and will look to get as far as possible in the FA Cup. The teams have met four times before, with Norwich City winning thrice and drawing once.
Prediction : Southampton City to finally get a win in the Cup against Norwich.
Sutton United vs AFC Wimbledon
Sutton United are set to host AFC Wimbledon, as two sides who have rich history face each other. Sutton were provided with Wimbledon as their first opponents, after the FA Decided to relocate the Dons to Milton Keynes. The clubs have met twice before in a competitive match. Both the teams have won a game a piece and will be hoping to pick up the advantage in the FA Cup.
Prediction : Sutton United to go through.
Accrington Stanley vs Luton Town
Luton Town have been drawn away to Accrington Stanley. Luton themselves are very confident of going through, especially after beating Solihull Moors in the previous round quite comfortably with a scoreline of 6-2. They faced each other quite recently, and Luton Town ran out winners with a 1-0 home victory.
Prediction : Luton Town to not find a problem going through
Rotherham United vs Macclesfield/Oxford United
Oxford United will be hoping to beat Macclesfield Town in their second round replay, and will then face Rotherham United. Michael Appleton's side will be hoping to improve their performance, as their opponents were definitely the better side in a goalless draw.
Rotherham are at the bottom of the Championship, having won only once in 19. The Oxford United manager isn't placing the FA Cup as their number one priority. “The FA Cup isn’t our biggest priority, but we’re more than aware that last year the cup competitions were really good for us.”
“If you’d not had a good result at the weekend in the league, it was always great to play in a different competition, so we want to stay in as many cups as we can.”
Prediction : Rotherham United should just about edge it.