The world’s oldest cup competition returns to take centre stage in the first weekend of 2024 with the Premier League big boys entering at the 3rd round.
There are some intriguing all-Premier League ties - most notably league leaders Liverpool’s trip to fellow title-chasers Arsenal on Sunday - but there are also a number of ties that have the potential to follow in the footsteps of Sutton United in 1989 and Hereford United in 1972 in resulting in famous cup upsets.
Here are five games that have the potential to be shocks from this weekend's FA Cup action.
Sunderland vs Newcastle
The Tyne-Wear derby is one of the most famous in the country and the North East will be trembling with anticipation for the two local rivals’ first meeting since 2016.
Sunderland, now a division below their bitter rivals in the Championship, are the outsiders according to the bookies, yet the Black Cats do boast dominance in the recent head-to-head record, winning six of the last 10 derby meetings, losing just once.
However, that counts for little going into this 2024 showdown.
What may matter is that Michael Beale’s side are in the better form of the two, with seven points from a possible nine picked up in their last three games.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are on a four game losing streak in all competitions.
The misfiring Magpies have won just once in eight games, and defeat again on Saturday could see the Toon Army begin to turn on manager Eddie Howe.
Newcastle have also been plagued by an injury crisis, with as many as 10 first-team players potentially missing from the matchday squad this weekend.
The combination of a lack of form and squad depth for the Premier League side could provide the perfect ingredients for a cup shock as the Black Cats look to register yet another famous victory over their North East rivals.
Watford vs Chesterfield
Watford have not had much joy in this competition since reaching the final in 2019, exiting the tournament at this stage in every edition since.
The Hornets have lost their sting in recent weeks, with the club winless in their last three games, while they are on a run of four matches without a win at their Vicarage Road home.
This stuttering run of form may open the door for Chesterfield, the runaway leaders in the National League and 63 places below Watford in the English football pyramid, to cause a stunning upset.
The Spireites have not faced Watford this century, and go into this cup tie in scintillating form, winning seven of their last 10 away games and keeping a seven-point lead at the top of the table.
One man more than capable of contributing to another ‘Cupset’ will be experienced Chesterfield striker Will Grigg, who famously scored the only goal for Wigan Athletic to eliminate titans Manchester City in this competition in 2018.
Now aged 32 but still banging in the goals - he has 12 in the National League so far this term - Grigg may prove to be the difference once again in this competition.
Luton vs Bolton
Despite promising performances at Kenilworth Road, the Hatters have not managed to claim positive results on a consistent basis at home.
Rob Edwards’ men have won just twice in front of their own fans in the league this season, and only just managed to scrape past League 2 Gillingham 3-2 in the Carabao Cup to avoid a shock exit in that competition.
Meanwhile, The Trotters have been firing on all cylinders in the league, winning each of their last four league games in League 1 with the club in second place.
Four-time winners of the competition, Bolton have struggled to get to this stage of the cup in recent years, with this their first appearance in the third round since 2019.
The Hatters may prioritise Premier League safety over a cup run, so Bolton could feel that a first win over Premier League opposition in this tournament since beating Sunderland in 2013 is attainable.
Peterborough vs Leeds
Another side flying high in the lower leagues is Peterborough, with Posh occupying third place in League One.
Darren Ferguson’s side are in scintillating form in the third tier, losing just one of their last 13 games in all competitions, winning nine.
Leeds, despite sitting comfortably in the Championship play-off positions, have looked fragile on the road in recent weeks, losing each of their last three league games on their travels.
The Whites have been disappointing in front of goal on the road in this run, scoring just once in over 270 minutes of football.
Contrastingly, Posh are the top-scorers in League 1 with 50 goals already this season, 21 of these coming away from home, and they are showing no signs of slowing down in this metric.
Expect Peterborough to ask questions of the Leeds backline.
Wigan vs Manchester United
The third round concludes on Monday with somewhat of a derby between Wigan and Manchester United, with the Latics having fond memories of the competition this century.
Shock winners over Manchester City in 2013, as well as upsetting the same opponents in 2018, Wigan have the recent history to not be taken lightly by United.
The Red Devils, who made the final of the FA Cup last year, have been disappointing this season, winning just two of their last seven games in the Premier League.
The underlying issue seems to be a lack of potency up top for Erik ten Hag’s men, with their tally of just 22 league goals scored this season the third-lowest in the division, only above bottom two Sheffield United and Burnley.
Ten Hag could name a much-changed side, which could expose frailties that Wigan can exploit.
