It's that time of year again, where the big boys from the Premiership and Championship join the remaining smaller boys in the most prestigious domestic cup around. The FA Cup has reached the third round and the draw was made yesterday to determine who would play who on the weekend of 8th/9th January. Unusually there was only one all Premiership tie but there is still plenty to savour:
Burnley v Port Vale
Coventry v Crystal Palace
Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
Fulham received a home tie against fellow Londoners Peterborough while Wolves face an away trip against Doncaster. After their heroics to force a replay, FC United of Manchester could be rewarded with a home tie against last season's runners-up Portsmouth if FC United can beat Brighton.
Huddersfield v Dover
Crawley Town/Swindon v Derby
Struggling West Ham are still in the Carling Cup at the quarter final stage and would like a decent FA Cup run as well, they have been given a home tie against Barnsley. West Brom will have to travel to the Madejski to face Championship Reading. After beating Manchester United at Old Trafford at this stage last season, Leeds have been given a trip to The Emirates to face Arsenal. Gerard Houllier's FA Cup return will be at Bramall lane as Villa travel to Sheffield United. Manchester City also face an away trip to The Walkers Stadium to face Championship Leicester. The surprise success of Bolton under Owen Coyle get a home tie against non-league York City whereas Blackburn face Championship winning contenders QPR at Ewood Park.
Swansea v Colchester
Wycombe v Hereford/Lincoln
Non-league Stevenage get their dream tie against Premiership opposition as Newcastle will travel to Broadhall Way.
Burton Albion v Middlesbrough
Birmingham get a frosty tie away to Millwall whereas Premiership new boys Blackpool will be travelling to St.Mary's to face Southampton.
Watford v Hartlepool/Yeovil
Chelsea begin their quest to win the FA Cup for the third successive time with a home tie against Roy Keane's Ipswich. Sunderland will have to wait a little longer to find out who they will playing against as Notts County and Bournemouth have to play a replay. Everton get an away trip to Scunthorpe United whereas struggling Wigan face former Premiership opposition Hull at the KC Stadium. Stoke will welcome The Bluebirds Cardiff to the Britannia and Tottenahm will face either Charlton or Luton at White Hart Lane.
Preston v Nottingham Forest
Norwich v Droylden/Leyton Orient
Torquay v Carlisle
However all these 31 ties are to be completely eclipsed as Old Trafford will host one of the fiercest rivals in footballing history. Manchester United will take on the old enemy Liverpool in the tie of the round, and possibly the competition overall!
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