🏆 FA Cup Forecast: Third round weekend serves all you could ask for | OneFootball

We have one of the most iconic weekends in the English football calendar to enjoy this weekend as the big boys join the party in the FA Cup third round.

Here are our tips.

Tie of the round 💪

Oxford United v Arsenal

58 league positions currently separate Premier League leaders Arsenal and League One Oxford United, and the Kassam Stadium will be hoping to witness an FA Cup giant-killing for the ages on Monday night.

The Gunners hold the record for the most FA Cup wins having lifted the trophy 14 times in their history, but in this congested season and with the Premier League title a genuine possibility, few would blame Mikel Arteta if domestic cup glory was low on his list of priorities.

He may well rest a few players for the trip to Oxford, which could give the hosts a chance of springing a surprise.

Not that U’s fans will be feeling hugely confident due to the inconsistent nature of their team’s form recently, and even Arsenal’s second-string would have to be considered huge favourites.

But without going too deep into cliché territory, form and class both have a habit of going out of the window in the FA Cup.

📊 Fun fact: This is the first meeting between Oxford and Arsenal since the third round of the cup in 2002/03. Arsenal won 2-0 and Dennis Bergkamp scored his 100th goal for the club.

🔮 Our prediction: Oxford United 1-3 Arsenal

Potential upset 😨

Bournemouth v Burnley

These two sides swapped places at the end of last season as Burnley were relegated to the Championship and Bournemouth returned to the Premier League.

But on Saturday, the Clarets have the chance to show that they belong in the top flight again.

Vincent Kompany has done a superb job since taking over at Turf Moor in the summer. Despite the departure of a number of high profile players, the Belgian replenished his squad with some youthful exuberance and currently has them top of the second tier and looking a good bet for promotion.

Cherries boss Gary O’Neil has also impressed since taking over from Scott Parker earlier this season, but his side go into this match on a four-game losing streak having conceded 39 league goals this season – the most in the Premier League.

It won’t exactly be a giant-killing, but Burnley should fancy their chances of causing a minor upset.

📊 Fun fact: Burnley have won their last three away games against Bournemouth.

🔮 Our prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Burnley

Big favourites 👍

Tottenham v Portsmouth

It hasn’t been the most enjoyable time to be a Tottenham fan of late. Before Wednesday night, Antonio Conte’s side had conceded the first goal in each of their previous 10 matches and their inconsistent results have left them with a huge fight on their hands to finish in the Premier League top four.

But Wednesday’s 4-0 victory away at Crystal Palace was just what the doctor ordered, and this weekend’s cup tie should grant them another reprieve.

Portsmouth’s New Year’s Day defeat at home to Charlton left them languishing in mid-table in League One and saw managerial duo Danny and Nicky Cowley relieved of their duties.

Caretaker manager Simon Bassey will be in charge for the daunting trip to north London and if he can somehow mastermind an upset, he should be offered the job permanently on the spot.

It’s a huge ask, but strange things can happen in the FA Cup.

📊 Fun fact: Tottenham haven’t lost any of their last 43 FA Cup home games against sides from outside the top flight.

🔮 Our prediction: Tottenham 4-0 Portsmouth

Too close to call 🤔

Manchester City v Chelsea

They say familiarity breeds contempt and Chelsea won’t be looking forward to meeting Manchester City again this weekend after Thursday’s Premier League encounter.

Chelsea’s defeat in that game made a bad situation even worse and it won’t be long before serious questions are being asked about manager Graham Potter’s suitability for the job.

But patience was always going to be necessary when Potter took the reins at Stamford Bridge, and a good cup run this season could be just the tonic to restore some confidence and buy himself some time.

Manchester City have already knocked Chelsea out of one domestic cup at the Etihad this season and with the wind in their sails after Thursday’s victory, they will be hoping to complete a hat-trick of victories against the west Londoners on Sunday.

📊 Fun fact: Chelsea have progressed from each of their last 24 FA Cup third round ties, stretching back to the 1998/99 season.

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Chelsea

Other predictions