FA Cup Third Round: Five things to watch out for

Who will be this year’s Wigan?

One of the great things about the FA Cup is its unpredictability. When Wigan went into last year’s final against Manchester City, not many gave them a chance, but they gave the Cup the romance that has been missing for too long. But, will that trend continue this time around or will be the usual suspects? The answer to that question will decide, whether the FA Cup will be as exciting as it was last time around. The question on a lot of lips is “how many teams will dare to try to do what Wigan Athletic did?”

And although Wigan ended up getting relegated at the end of the season, they still managed to finish the season with some silverware, something Arsenal haven’t done in almost a decade. So, how many teams, like the Latics will be prepared to risk it all, for the glory of winning some silverware. Will the mid-table Premier League sides like Stoke and Aston Villa, take the cup seriously? Will the Hammers or the Black Cats risk Premier League survival for a shot at silverware? Or will Roberto Martínez, now at Everton and overseeing a Champions League push, commit to the Cup as fully as he did with Wigan?A tasty clash in the offing at the Emirates

A North London derby is a fascinating clash irrespective of when and where it happens. But, the timing of this current clash, in the third round of the FA Cup, at a time when both squads are going through an injury crisis of sorts, is far from ideal. But Arsenal take on Tottenham knowing fully well that should they win, that might just provide them with the impetus that they need in the League.

Tottenham, on the other hand, have been revitalized under Tim Sherwood, and although his tactics have worked so far, it remains to be seen whether he persists with the 4-4-2 that has served him so well hitherto. And irrespective of what happens, we are in store for an exciting game between two fierce rivals, looking to claim bragging rights until they meet again.A family affair at Anfield

The romance of the FA Cup might yet turn out to be true in a very literal sense at Anfield, as Liverpool take on Oldham, the side that knocked them out of the same competition in the fourth round last season. Having been humiliated by Oldham last time out, Brendan Rodgers will be keen to right the wrongs this time around. Although Liverpool’s top priority is still Champions League qualification, a silverware will do them no harm whatsoever.

And whilst there is little chance of Oldham repeating their performance last year, Rodgers will know that while the Latics haven’t won any of their last eight League games, the Cup is a different ball game altogether. And if they do win, Anton Rodgers, son of Liverpool manager, Brendan, will be key. So, Anfield will bear witness to a family affair on Sunday, no matter what.Macclesfield hoping to stay afloat with a win

As the lowest ranked side still remaining in the competition, you would be forgiven for thinking that Conference side Macclesfield Town would be looking at their clash with Championship strugglers Sheffield Wednesday to claim a huge scalp. But, the truth is that, romance and glory isn’t why Macclesield want to win it, it is purely for the money.

With the club only just surviving summer after being bailed out by Cheshire East council, the £67,000 prize money guaranteed by a win against a Championship side would go a long way towards helping the Silkmen, who are in the words of their manager, “barely surviving week to week”. Having won all four of their games over the festive period, they go into the clash against manager less Wednesday knowing that the chances of an upset are far from improbable.

If Macclesfield win and make it to the fourth round for only the second time in their history, they are sure to enjoy another big payday.How many Premier League clubs will make it to the fourth round?

With five all-Premier clashes, there will surely be five representatives in the next round from England’s top tier, but how many more clubs will join them? Whilst Manchester City and Liverpool have easy enough assignments, the rest of the big clubs will have their task cut out for them, if they are to gain safe passage into the third round.

And will the clubs in the bottom half, risk glory in the Cup over another season in the Premier League? If the answer is yes, then Sunderland and West Ham should surely make it. But that looks unlikely and that increases the possibility of an upset. So, don’t be surprised if you see no more than a dozen clubs make it through to the next round.