{"id":1336809,"date":"2024-01-04T15:51:08","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T15:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1336809"},"modified":"2025-03-28T08:34:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-28T08:34:17","slug":"fa-cup-third-round-potential-giant-killings","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/fa-cup-third-round-potential-giant-killings\/","title":{"rendered":"Five potential FA Cup giant-killings and banana skins to look out for this week"},"content":{"rendered":"

The FA Cup third round takes centre stage this week as Premier League sides enter the competition.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s that time of year again when the top teams begin their FA Cup campaigns dreaming of a day out at Wembley in May and lifting the famous trophy aloft in front of their adoring fans. But for every success story, there also the sides that see their hopes dashed early on the competition, some by teams on their level and some by sides from the lower leagues.<\/p>\n

These are the games that the lesser sides enter the competition for. The giant killing, the match that people talk about for years to come, the moment someone makes themselves a hero – the magic of the FA Cup. From Luton becoming the first non-league side to knock a top-flight opponent out of the FA Cup in 24 years with a 1-0 away win against Norwich in 2013 to Bradford coming from 2-0 down to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in 2015 and inflict a rare home defeat for Jose Mourinho, this is what the competition is famous for.<\/p>\n

This year will be no different and with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some possible giant killings and possible banana skins in the third round of the competition in 2024.<\/p>\n

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    Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa<\/h2>\n\n

    Despite an incredible start to life in the Midlands for Unai Emery, picking up more home points than any other Premier League side in 2023 and currently sitting second in the table just three points behind leaders Liverpool<\/a>,<\/strong> it’s domestic cup competitions that have been his Achilles heal. The Spaniard has lost all three domestic cup games as Aston Villa manager, including last season’s FA Cup third-round tie against Stevenage and has carried on the curse that has seen the Villans lose nine of their last 10 FA Cup ties and exit in the third round in each of the past seven seasons.<\/p>\n

    They face a Middlesbrough side<\/a> that have already booked their place in the EFL Cup semi-finals having not played a single match at home and a team that are no strangers to knocking the big boys out of the FA Cup. Just two seasons back, they reached the quarter-final stage, taking the scalps of ‘Big Six’ sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur along the way before eventually falling to Chelsea and will be hoping to do it all again this time around.<\/p>\n

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      Squawka’s best bet: Middlesbrough to win & BTTS @ 17\/2 with Bet365<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Gillingham vs Sheffield United<\/h2>\n

      Having already been knocked out of the EFL Cup on penalties by League One side Lincoln City and Premier League safety the priority this season, you can forgive Sheffield United if they don’t give the FA Cup their full attention. They face a tricky away tie at a Gillingham side that have already knocked Southampton and Charlton out of cup competitions this season and pushed fellow Premier League new boys Luton all the way at Kenilworth Road.<\/p>\n

      The Blades are yet to win away from home so far this season, losing eight and drawing two of their 10 matches on the road, scoring fewer (5) and conceding more (25) than any other Premier League side during away matches this term. And with a full house, the home crowd may be able to get Gillingham over the line.<\/p>\n

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        Squawka’s best bet: Gillingham: Draw No Bet @ 4\/1 with Bet UK<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Sunderland vs Newcastle<\/h2>\n\n

        Sunderland and Newcastle fans must have thought that Christmas had come early when the draw for the third round was made, as they prepare to go head-to-head for the first time since March 2016<\/a> when they played out a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park. Sunderland’s defeat in the play-off semi-finals to Luton last season looked set to end the chances of a Tyne-Wear derby in 2023\/24, but the footballing gods decided it was about time this fixture returned.<\/p>\n

        Eddie Howe’s side travel to face their rivals in poor form having lost seven of their last eight games across all competitions and on the back of a 4-2 defeat to Liverpool where they conceded the highest xG in a Premier League game on record (7.27).\u00a0 This is Sunderland’s chance to strike while confidence is low in the Newcastle camp and continue their impressive recent form against their rivals.<\/p>\n

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        FT: Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle<\/p>\n

        \u25c9 xG: 7.27-0.59
        \u25c9 Shots: 34-5
        \u25c9 Shots on target: 15-3<\/p>\n

        Liverpool's 6.68 xG difference is the largest in a single Premier League game on record. ?#LIVNEW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/nuh8oR8uMo<\/a><\/p>\n

        — Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) January 1, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n