Mansfield vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 12.15pm)
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Mansfield Town and Middlesbrough will put on hold their respective playoff pushes when they meet in the FA Cup third round at Field Mill on Saturday.
Both sides are in excellent form, with the Stags currently ninth in League Two and Boro occupying seventh in the Championship.
We say: Mansfield Town 2-1 Middlesbrough
This should be a fascinating encounter between two sides enjoying superb winning runs. With Chris Wilder expected to rotate his team and prioritise the Championship campaign, we think that there is potential for an upset in this tie – particularly considering Mansfield's strong record on home turf.
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Coventry vs. Derby (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Coventry City and Derby County square off in the FA Cup third round with both clubs having experienced contrasting fortunes in the Championship this season.
The Sky Blues were pushing for promotion until a recent drop off in form, while Derby have moved to within 11 points of safety courtesy of a four-game unbeaten streak.
We say: Coventry City 1-2 Derby County
Despite their attentions being elsewhere, both teams will want to make progress in this competition. With no replays during the third round, there will be a desire to get things done in 90 minutes, but we are backing the visitors to prevail after extra time.
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Burnley vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Burnley will be looking to claim their first victory in any competition for over two months when they welcome Huddersfield Town to Turf Moor for their third-round tie in the FA Cup on Saturday lunchtime.
This will be the first FA Cup meeting between the Clarets and the Terriers since January 1972, which saw the latter secure a slender 1-0 away victory.
We say: Burnley 1-1 Huddersfield Town (Huddersfield Town to win on penalties)
Although Burnley will head into Saturday's tie as the favourites, the Premier League outfit are enduring a difficult run of form in contrast to their Championship counterparts.
The Terriers will likely name a strong side at Turf Moor, while the Clarets may decide to rest a few star names and with that in mind, a score draw could be on the cards in 90 minutes, with the visitors edging it on penalties.
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Hartlepool vs. Blackpool (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Hartlepool United and Blackpool will face each other for the first time in the FA Cup when they meet in the third round at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Both teams are enjoying mid-table seasons following respective promotions last year, with Pools currently 15th in League Two and the Tangerines currently 12th in the Championship.
We say: Hartlepool United 1-2 Blackpool
With both sides holding little hope of promotion but also not in any relegation danger, they could each fancy a cup run this season which should make this an entertaining tie. Blackpool's quality is likely to pull them through, but Hartlepool's home form means the Monkey Hangers should not be written off.
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Bristol City vs. Fulham (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Fulham head into their FA Cup third round fixture with Bristol City looking to end a run of five matches without a victory.
Meanwhile, the hosts have been inconsistency personified all season, although they did move up to 15th position in the Championship standings with a win over Millwall last time out.
We say: Bristol City 1-2 Fulham
As it stands, it remains to be seen whether an enforced break will benefit or hinder Fulham, but it does increase the chances of a first-choice team being selected. With that in mind, we are backing the Cottagers to prevail by the odd goal in three on Saturday afternoon.
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Millwall vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 12.45pm)
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Crystal Palace are set to make the short journey across London to kick off their 2021-22 FA Cup campaign against Championship outfit Millwall on Saturday lunchtime.
The hosts kicked off the New Year with a 3-2 defeat to Bristol City in the Championship, while the Eagles coincidentally lost by the same scoreline to West Ham United.
We say: Millwall 1-2 Crystal Palace (a.e.t)
Millwall may sense an opportunity for an upset here given Palace's AFCON absentees, but the Eagles still have the talent in the front line to help them avoid an early exit.
Eze and Olise will be out to make statements of intent during their time to shine, but Palace's dire form away from home and Millwall's strength at The Den means that extra time could very well be required.
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Boreham Wood vs. AFC Wimbledon (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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National League outfit Boreham Wood welcome League One side AFC Wimbledon to Meadow Park in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday, when the home team will be looking to progress into the fourth round for the first time in their history.
The visitors have prolonged their FA Cup run from the previous two seasons, having last made it past this round during the 2018-19 campaign when they were knocked out in round five.
We say: Boreham Wood 1-2 AFC Wimbledon
Boreham Wood are certain to give their League One opposition a tough game and the visitors will come under pressure at Meadow Park, with a vibrant crowd behind the home team.
However, Wimbledon are not in such bad form having only lost once in their last six outings in all competitions, and their third-tier superiority should see them edge through this round.
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West Brom vs. Brighton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Championship promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion welcome high-flying Premier League outfit Brighton & Hove Albion to The Hawthorns for their third-round tie in the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Baggies are unbeaten in each of their last 10 home matches, while the Seagulls have lost only two of their 12 away games across all competitions so far this campaign.
We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Over the last few weeks, while West Brom have suffered a slight dip in league form, Brighton have enjoyed plenty of success in the top flight.
Even though Potter is expected to make a few changes to his starting lineup, the visitors should have enough quality in their side to come away from The Hawthorns with a victory.
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Kidderminster vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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The lowest-ranked side left in this year's FA Cup, Kidderminster Harriers, host Championship strugglers Reading at the Aggborough Stadium in the third round on Saturday afternoon.
Kiddy are currently fifth in the National League North, 78 places below Reading who are 21st in the Championship.
We say: Kidderminster Harriers 0-2 Reading
Given Reading's recent struggles and the high chance of Veljko Paunovic fielding a young side, an upset is not off the cards here. The non-league outfit will still be big underdogs whatever team the Royals put out though and we think a famous victory for Kiddy will not quite happen.
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Leicester vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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An all-Premier League FA Cup third-round tie takes place at the King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as defending champions Leicester City play host to Watford.
The Foxes begin the long and arduous defence of their crown on home soil, while the Hornets have bowed out in the third round two seasons in a row.
We say: Leicester City 2-0 Watford
Both sides are dealing with absentees in the double figures and may feel that they have bigger fish to fry regarding the Premier League, but Leicester will not turn their noses up at another memorable cup run.
Watford are not exactly renowned for their performances on the King Power turf and ended 2021 in the worst way possible, so we expect a comfortable route into round four for the defending champions.
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Port Vale vs. Brentford (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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League Two promotion hopefuls Port Vale will welcome Premier League outfit Brentford to Vale Park for their third-round tie in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
This will be the first-ever FA Cup meeting between the two sides, and the first of any kind since the Bees beat Vale 2-0 in January 2014 when they were in League One.
We say: Port Vale 0-2 Brentford
After nearly a month without competitive football, Port Vale players and supporters will be desperate to get back into action and they will be fired up for their challenging encounter against Premier League opposition.
However, the loss of attacking trio Wilson, Proctor and Rodney is a blow for Vale, and although Clarke's men are sure to put up a fight, we expect the hosts to be stung by the Bees on home soil.
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Wigan vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Blackburn Rovers will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to 10 matches when they face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup third round.
While the visitors are challenging for promotion to the Premier League, their League One hosts have put together their own 13-game undefeated run in all competitions.
We say: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
With the prospect of widespread changes being made, Blackburn will not have it all their own way in this fixture. Nevertheless, their superior quality off the substitutes' bench could prove decisive, and we are backing the visitors to edge this contest in the closing stages.
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Newcastle vs. Cambridge (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Newcastle United will endeavour to kick off 2022 in better fashion than they ended 2021 as Cambridge United pay a visit for the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies' proposed Premier League encounter with Southampton was postponed due to COVID-19, while the visitors held 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth to a goalless draw on Monday.
We say: Newcastle United 3-0 Cambridge United
The travelling Cambridge support will relish the opportunity to witness their side step foot onto Premier League turf, but any joy of the occasion will likely be extinguished when the Magpies hit their stride.
With Howe's side potentially welcoming back their COVID-affected crop, the irrepressible Saint-Maximin and buoyed by news of fresh faces in the squad, we are backing the Magpies to get the job done in convincing fashion.
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Peterborough vs. Bristol Rovers (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Peterborough United will be hoping to bounce back from their recent defeat against Blackpool on Saturday when they host Bristol Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup.
Meanwhile, the visitors head into this match after a 4-2 victory, but they have not played for almost a month due to COVID-19 postponements.
We say: Peterborough United 2-1 Bristol Rovers
Both teams have been struggling within their respective leagues, which is why there is a lot to fight for within this particular FA Cup tie.
However, Peterborough United have slightly more quality within their group, and that should be enough to see them into the next round, while it will be a closely-contested match.
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QPR vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Queens Park Rangers will be looking to record a third successive win when they face Rotherham United in the FA Cup third round.
While the home side occupy fifth position in the Championship, Rotherham currently sit top of League One, five points above the playoffs.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 3-1 Rotherham United
With their priorities on promotion, this is a difficult match to predict. Nevertheless, QPR's strength-in-depth is stronger than the visitors, and that may prove pivotal as they look to book their place in the last 32.
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Barnsley vs. Barrow (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Championship strugglers Barnsley will hope for some respite from their relegation battle when they host League Two outfit Barrow in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
The Tykes are currently 23rd in the second tier and eight points adrift of safety, while the Bluebirds are four points above the drop zone in the fourth tier, placing 19th.
We say: Barnsley 2-1 Barrow
There is definitely potential for an upset in this tie given Barnsley's atrocious season so far and current squad issues. If it was being played at Holker Street we would fancy a Barrow win, but we think that the game will finish level after 90 minutes before the Tykes squeeze through in extra time.
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Swansea vs. Southampton (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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The third round of the FA Cup will commence this weekend, and Swansea City will host Premier League outfit Southampton at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Both teams head into the game out of form with the hosts having failed to win in their last three outings, while the Saints have only picked up one victory in their previous eight outings.
We say: Swansea City 0-2 Southampton
Both teams will be hoping that this FA Cup tie will be the catalyst that gets their respective seasons back on track, placing pressure on this match.
However, Southampton do have the added quality that should be enough to see them through this fixture in order to secure their place in the fourth round.
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Chelsea vs. Chesterfield (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Chelsea will hope to avoid being on the wrong end of one of the FA Cup's greatest giant killings when non-league side Chesterfield pay a visit to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
The Blues have taken runners-up medals in the last two editions of the tournament, while the National League visitors have not made it past round three since 2015.
We say: Chelsea 5-0 Chesterfield
Chesterfield are unlikely to face some of the biggest names that Chelsea have to offer, but a mixture of fringe and youthful Blues players should still get the job done convincingly.
The visitors deserve immense credit for navigating the unforgiving winter period as well as they did, but the FA Cup journey will likely come to an end for Rowe and co here.
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> How Chelsea could line up against Chesterfield
Hull City vs. Everton (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Everton will be hoping to end their poor run of form with a victory away at Hull City in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening.
The Tigers and the Toffees last faced each other in the FA Cup back in 1963-64, when the latter secured a 2-1 win in a third round replay.
We say: Hull City 1-2 Everton
While Everton's morale will be at an all-time low, Benitez will view Saturday's fixture against lower league opposition as the perfect opportunity to turn the club's fortunes around.
Even with a few first-team regulars set to be given a rest, the Toffees should do enough to seal a slender victory at the MKM Stadium.
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Birmingham vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 5.30pm)
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Birmingham City will look to put an end to their two-game losing streak this Saturday when they enter the FA Cup, hosting Plymouth Argyle at St Andrew's.
The visitors might head into the match as the underdogs, but they have been in strong form this season, and the Pilgrims have won consecutive matches.
We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Plymouth Argyle
Birmingham City will likely head into this match as the favourites, purely because of the league that they are in, but when it comes to form this season, that should not be the case.
The Blues have struggled at points in this campaign, and that lack of confidence could end up costing them, providing Plymouth the chance to cause an upset.
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Yeovil vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 5.45pm)
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Yeovil Town will continue their FA Cup journey this Saturday when they host Bournemouth at Huish Park, as they aim to end their two-match losing streak.
Meanwhile, the Cherries head into this match on the back of consecutive victories in the Championship where they have not conceded a single goal.
We say: Yeovil Town 0-3 Bournemouth
Yeovil Town have been impressive so far in the FA Cup, putting on brilliant performances within the competition as the underdogs.
They will head into this game in the same situation, but Scott Parker's Bournemouth should have too much quality, which will allow them to secure the victory.
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Barney Corkhill
