Every year the FA Cup throws up some magical moments, big clubs get dumped out by little ones and many a player has made their name from scoring in the best club competition in world football.
Here we take a look at 5 potential FA Cup 3rd round upsets, In no particular order.
1 - STOCKPORT v WEST HAM
Premier League West Ham head North to Edgeley Park in this tricky tie. The Hammers have form for losing out to lower league opposition in the FA cup, in the last 3 seasons they have been dumped out of the competition to sides below them in the Football pyramid. Wigan, AFC Wimbledon and West Brom respectively being the sides to beat David Moyes side. Stockport County are 4th in the National League and are in decent form. League form goes out the window in games like this though and if West Ham dare to field a severely weakened team, this could be one to watch on Monday night.
2- EVERTON v ROTHERHAM
The Toffees have been extremely poor in recent seasons in this competition, not helped by the fact they have met their neighbours Liverpool in 2 of the last 3 seasons. The other time though, they were dumped out of the cup by Millwall in a thrilling 3-2 game under the floodlights at The Den. Championship Rotherham play a similar style to that Millwall side, they are physical and will put balls into the box as often as possible. Whilst Everton are at home on this occasion, The Millers will head to Goodison park with nothing to fear in this fixture. Everton are going well in the Premier League and with a packed schedule will surely make changes for this one. This could be another FA Cup season to forget for Ancelotti's men.
3- BOREHAM WOOD v MILLWALL
As a Millwall fan it pains me to have to write this, but yes, its very possible my Championship side could lose out to a side currently 11th in the Vanarama National League. I am sure many neutrals will have us in their coupon, and I myself did predicted a 2-1 win for The Lions in my FA Cup predictions, but that was more hope than expectation. Make no mistake this could end badly for my lot on Saturday. We aren't scoring goals, we aren't creating chances. On top of that we are leaking goals and seem to have forgotten how to defend lately. Boreham Wood have won their last 4 league games so will be in a buoyant mood and have ZERO to lose in this fixture. They have a few good prospects in Kabongo Tshimanga, Gus Mafutu and Sorba Thomas. We dont like pace, and they have plenty of it. I fear for us and would advise you all to swerve us like the Rona in your bets.
4- CRAWLEY v LEEDS
Leeds fans will know where I am coming from without me having to write a line. Newport, Sutton, Rochdale. Just 3 of the clubs to knock them out off the top of my head. They are up against a side who have form against Premier League opponents, knocking out Norwich City last season whilst they were members of the top flight. Crawley are also flying in the league and have recently flown into the League 2 play off places. Ok, If Leeds turn up and play a strong side then they could notch a fair few goals, as I predicted in my FA Cup preview. BUT.... This is by no means cut & dry, Leeds fans will fear they could be in for another shock result.
5- CHORLEY v DERBY COUNTY
This is one I'm sure many will have predicted to be a coupon buster given the recent news, FA Cup 3rd round between a side in the National League North, and the Championship. The FA Cup does not get more romantic than games like this, but would it really be a shock? Well usually you would say yes, and most people would probably still say yes. But as we all know by now, Derby have been hit by COVID and will have to field a complete reserve side with players from their U18 and u23 squads. They also cannot have any members of their first team staff present at the game.
Derby do have a brilliant academy though, they regularly play against the England national sides at youth level in friendlies, they compete against the very best elite academies (Man Utd, Man City, Spurs etc) in their league and have a few youth international's who should go on to have good careers. So this could be a very good game given Chorley should be well up for this one and very confident after learning of their opponents selection problems. Connor Hall is one to watch for the home side, the forward is in excellent form right now and scored in previous rounds against Wigan and Peterborough.
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