It’s that time of year again. The FA Cup Round 3 allows clubs like Sheffield United, who are struggling ion their league table, to take a break from the doom and gloom. United will travel to Bristol to face Rovers but what about the other teams competing in this seasons competition.
Last season, Sheffield United reached the Quarter Final stage, beating AFC Fylde, Millwall, and Reading before bowing out at home to Arsenal. It was the furthest they had reached in the semi-final stage in 2014, losing 5-3 as a League One club under then-manager Nigel Clough to Premier League Hull City. In the clubs’ history, the Blades have lifted the historic trophy four times in; 1899 (v Derby), 1902 (v Southampton), 1915 (v Chelsea), and 1925 (v Cardiff). They have also been losing finalists twice in 1901 (v Tottenham), and 1936 (v Arsenal). On the occasions the Blades have failed to reach the final they have been semi-finalists on eight occasions; 1914 (v Burnley), 1923 (v Bolton), 1928 (v Huddersfield), 1961 (v Leicester), 1993 (v Sheffield Wednesday), 1998 (v Newcastle), 2003 (v Arsenal), and 2014 (v Hull).
Jamie Murphy celebrates scoring United’s third goal in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley v Hull City.
By the time that Sheffield United kick-off at the Memorial Ground at 3 pm today, the ties involving the four Premier League clubs; Wolves, Palace, Villa, and Liverpool will already have been decided, having taken place last night.
With no zero supporters able to spectator today’s performance at the Memorial Ground, fans are reminded that they watch the live match on BT Sport and will also be available at over 100 countries across the globe.
Perhaps the oddest tie of the round will pit Championship club Derby County travelling to non-league Chorley in Lancashire. This usually wouldn’t be a strange game, except that there has been an outbreak of COVID-19 at the Rams training ground. The match will go ahead but the Pride Park club will be forced to select players from their Academy.
Regardless of this weekend’s results, the draws for both the fourth and fifth round will take place on Monday, at around 7:10 pm, shortly before Stockport County host West Ham United at Edgley Park in the final third-round tie.
The full FA Cup Third Round draw is as follows…
Friday, 8th January 2021
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Crystal Palace
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Saturday, 9th January 2021
Huddersfield Town v Plymouth Argyle
Southampton v Shrewsbury Town
Chorley v Derby County
Oldham Athletic v AFC Bournemouth
Manchester United v Watford
Stevenage v Swansea City
Everton v Rotherham United
Nottingham Forest v Cardiff City
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Bristol Rovers v Sheffield United
Boreham Wood v Millwall
Blackburn Rovers v Doncaster Rovers
Stoke City v Leicester City
Wycombe Wanderers v Preston North End
Burnley v Milton Keynes Dons
Queens Park Rangers v Fulham
Brentford v Middlesbrough
Luton Town v Reading
Exeter City v Sheffield Wednesday
Norwich City v Coventry City
Blackpool v West Bromwich Albion
Sunday, 10th January 2021
Crawley Town v Leeds United
Barnsley v Tranmere Rovers
Bristol City v Portsmouth
Manchester City v Birmingham City
Cheltenham Town v Mansfield Town
Chelsea v Morecambe
Newport County v Brighton & Hove Albion
Marine v Tottenham Hotspur
Monday, 11th January 2021
Stockport County v West Ham United