The third round of the FA Cup was a lot of fun. It had everything: goals, upsets, and drama. Of course, this is what Cup competitions are about, but not many would have written the script exactly the way it panned out.
Stevenage stunned Aston Villa at Villa Park. Sheffield Wednesday progressed at the expense of high-flying Newcastle. Blackpool made very easy work of Nottingham Forest, and Cardiff City wiped the floor with Leeds United before eventually bowing out at Elland Road.
Battles between Premier League teams were also pulsating. Wolves vs Liverpool was end-to-end and needed a replay. Manchester City tore Chelsea apart at the Etihad.
And as we get set for Round 4, some blockbuster matches are lined up to begin this Friday between the two biggest English teams at the moment, Manchester City and Arsenal.
Review Of Round 3
There was plenty to savour in the previous round of the FA Cup.
Manchester United did enough to defeat Everton 3-1 with Conor Coady scoring at both ends of the pitch.
Harry Kane scored the only goal in Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat of Portsmouth, as Kelechi Iheanacho helped Leicester City to a 1-0 win against Gillingham.
Southampton came from behind to secure a 2-1 win against fellow Premier League team, Crystal Palace.
Fulham managed to overcome stubborn Hull City 2-0 thanks to a last-gasp goal by Daniel James.
Brighton hit Middlesbrough 5-1 with Alexis Mac Allister scoring a brace, as Championship leaders, Burnley humbled Bournemouth 4-2.
Nottingham Forest suffered a 4-1 loss to Blackpool, as West Ham earned a hard-fought one-nil win against Brentford.
Sheffield Wednesday overcame Newcastle 2-1, as Liverpool and Wolves played out a controversial but entertaining 2-2 draw.
Leeds United scored late to force Cardiff City to a 2-2 draw, as Stevenage progressed at the expense of Aston Villa thanks to a stoppage time goal.
Riyad Mahrez was in inspirational form, as his brace helped Manchester City defeat rivals, Chelsea 4-0.
Eddie Nketiah was on target with two goals in Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat of Oxford United.
Preview Of Round 4
This round looks certain to deliver goals and excitement.
Manchester City host Arsenal in the biggest tie of this FA Cup round. This is also a rehearsal for next weekend’s Premier League encounter. All eyes will be on the head-to-head between Erling Haaland and Nketiah.
Leicester City travel to face Walsall, as Leeds United will be keen to go past Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
League one teams, Sheffield Wednesday and Fleetwood will square off, as Blackburn Rovers will take on Birmingham.
Southampton welcome Blackpool who will be brimming with confidence to the St. Mary’s stadium.
Burnley are favourites to progress past Ipswich Town, as Bristol City will do battle against West Brom.
Luton Town and Grimsby Town will go head-to-head, as Fulham face Sunderland.
Tottenham will make the trip to Deepdale to take on Preston and Manchester United will play Reading.
Liverpool will be nursing revenge when they do battle against Brighton, as Stoke City host Stevenage.
Wrexham take on Sheffield United before Derby County and West Ham round off the weekend of football.
Predictions For FA Cup Round 4
Manchester City vs Arsenal (over 2.5 goals)
Walsall vs Leicester City (2)
Accrington Stanley vs Leeds (over 1.5 goals)
Sheffield Wednesday vs Fleetwood (goal/goal)
Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham (over 1.5 goals)
Southampton vs Blackpool (over 2.5 goals)
Ipswich vs Burnley (2)
Bristol City vs West Brom (over 1.5 goals)
Luton Town vs Grimsby Town (goal/goal)
Fulham vs Sunderland (over 1.5 goals)
Preston vs Tottenham (2)
Manchester United vs Reading (1)
Brighton vs Liverpool (over 2.5 goals)
Stoke City vs Stevenage (goal/goal)
Wrexham vs Sheffield United (over 1.5 goals)
Derby County vs West Ham (2)
