The FA Cup third round is one of the most anticipated weekends of the season, especially for the lower league teams, who may be able to draw one of the Premier League big boys.
The likes of non-league Tamworth and League Two Salford are looking forward to playing Premier League giants Tottenham and Manchester City.
There is normally at least one upset over the course of the weekend and in this article, we take a look at four potential shocks.
- WYCOMBE TO BEAT PORTSMOUTH
- LEYTON ORIENT TO BEAT DERBY
- NORWICH TO BEAT BRIGHTON
- CHARLTON TO BEAT PRESTON
Bet On The FA Cup
Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth (Friday, 7:45pm)
There might only be five places between these two sides in the EFL pyramid, but it would be seen as an upset if League One Wycombe could beat Championship strugglers Portsmouth.
Matt Bloomfield’s men have surprised many with the way they have positioned themselves towards the top of League One, especially with several big spenders around them.
A strong end to last season saw the Chairboys finish in 10th, with Bloomfield taking charge in February of 2023.
Since then, they have gone from strength to strength and have lost just four of their 25 league games, with three of those losses coming in the opening two matches against Wrexham and Birmingham, while they lost to high-flying Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night.
Having won League One last term, Portsmouth have struggled to continue their promotion form and are currently only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
Pompey, who did the double over Wycombe last season, haven’t won any of their previous eight on the road, including defeats in each of their last four away games.
With so much of Portsmouth’s focus on staying in the Championship, Wycombe have the ability and confidence to take full advantage.
WYCOMBE TO BEAT PORTSMOUTH
Norwich City vs Brighton and Hove Albion (Saturday, 3pm)
It’s been a season of ups and downs for Norwich so far, but a good recent run has seen them move up to 11th in the Championship and in an upbeat mood going into the FA Cup 3rd round.
The Canaries have won three and drawn one of their four games since Christmas, with Amankwah Forson scoring a stoppage-time brace to beat Coventry last weekend.
Carrow Road has turned into something of a fortress, with just two home defeats in 13 league appearances so far this term.
After making a really impressive start under new manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton have now slipped into mid-table in the Premier League.
The Seagulls failed to win any of their six matches in December and that run continued with Saturday’s comeback draw against Arsenal.
Brighton have kept just two clean sheets on the road, which were in August and October, and have conceded nine in their last five away games.
Recent head-to-head stats show a lack of goals when these two teams meet, with 0-0 scorelines in their last two meetings and a Brighton 1-0 win at Carrow Road the time before.
One goal might be enough again on Saturday afternoon and Norwich will feel they can pinch a place in round four, especially with the Championship’s leading scorer, Borja Sainz, in their ranks.
LEYTON ORIENT TO BEAT DERBY
Preston North End vs Charlton Athletic (Saturday, 3pm)
Another Championship versus League One cup fixture on Saturday sees Preston face Charlton at Deepdale.
It’s two wins in six for North End going into this third-round tie, with Paul Heckingbottom’s squad currently sitting 15th with 30 points from 26 games.
However, it is worth noting that Preston are unbeaten in seven on home soil, with two wins and five draws during that run.
They have, though, struggled for goals, with their 28 in 26, which is the second worst outside the bottom six in the Championship.
Charlton head to Lancashire unbeaten in seven and they beat title contenders Wycombe in their final match of 2024.
The Addicks are unbeaten in their last three away games and have kept clean sheets in each of those three matches on the road.
One major plus for Nathan Jones is the return to form of forward Miles Leaburn, who had been linked with clubs in the top two divisions last season.
The 21-year-old had gone 10 games without a goal but has scored four times in the last four, including two in the win over Wycombe.
NORWICH TO BEAT BRIGHTON
Leyton Orient vs Derby County (Saturday, 6pm)
Four straight defeats at the beginning of the season had Leyton Orient rooted to the foot of League One and the pressure was mounting on boss Richie Wellens.
The former Salford and Doncaster boss has been in charge for almost three years at Brisbane Road and the O’s are making big strides forward.
It’s eight games unbeaten in the league, with seven wins and a draw, and they are now up to eighth and just four points outside the play-off places.
Orient’s success has been built around a solid defence, which has conceded just 22 goals in 24 League One games.
The O’s have kept clean sheets in each of their last five home matches, including in last week’s 1-0 win over Shrewsbury.
In contrast, Derby travel to London off the back of three straight defeats and sat 18th in the Championship table.
Paul Warne’s squad won promotion last season and three wins in their first five matches suggested the Rams would establish themselves in the second tier.
Two wins from seven outings during December has dragged Derby back towards the lower echelons of the table and they now face a potential cup banana skin, although elimination will allow them to focus on their league form.
CHARLTON TO BEAT PRESTON
