The third round of the FA Cup begins this weekend, with Premier League teams set to play in their first matches in the competition.
There will be four rematches of previous FA Cup finals in this round, so it should be a great history lesson for fans young and old.
Here are the five FA Cup games to watch this weekend.
Tuesday, January 6th: Watch Everton vs West Ham United on Sportsnet World at 2:45 pm ET. || Broadcast schedule
Everton vs West Ham United
Everton has lost four straight Premier League matches, winning just five overall so far this season. West Ham, who was in a similar situation last year, is flying high in seventh place.
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has a fully fit squad, so he has no concerns. Tony Hibbert is Everton’s only injury. However, five players are almost fully recovered from injuries, but probably won’t be risked by Roberto Martinez.
The Toffees are unbeaten in their last 14 matches in all competitions against West Ham, winning 10 games and drawing the other four. However, considering how dire the Merseyside club has been, the Hammers will enter the match as the favourite.
Monday, January 5th: Watch AFC Wimbledon vs Liverpool on Sportsnet World at 2:55 pm ET. || Broadcast schedule
AFC Wimbledon vs Liverpool
AFC Wimbledon is at long odds to repeat their heroics of the 1988 FA Cup final by beating Liverpool in the third round on Monday night.
Much has changed for the west London club since then, with the relocation of the original Wimbledon to Milton Keynes prompting a new team to form and climb back up the league pyramid.
It won’t be an easy matchup for Wimbledon. The hosts are in reasonable form going into the game, having won four of their last five in all competitions.
Liverpool has never lost to a fourth-tier side in an FA Cup game, winning 10 of the 12 games against sides in League Two.
Daniel Sturridge and Glen Johnson are the only two absentees for Liverpool, but manager Brendan Rodgers will most likely field a side mainly composed of reserve players in order to give a rest to others.
Sunday, January 4th: Watch Dover Athletic vs Crystal Palace on Sportsnet World at 8:00 am ET, Yeovil Town vs Manchester United on Sportsnet World at 10:30 am ET, and Arsenal vs Hull City on Sportsnet World at 12:30 pm ET. || Watch Manchester City vs Sheffield Wednesday at 10:00 am ET online at Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Manchester City vs Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday could be excused a sense of trepidation ahead of their visit to the Premier League co-leaders Manchester City—Wednesday was annihilated 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium in the League Cup in September.
City was boosted by Stevan Jovetic’s return against Sunderland on New Year’s Day. Edin Dzeko and Vincent Kompany are close to returning from injury, so they could feature at some point. Sergio Aguero is also nearing full fitness, but he probably won’t be risked for this affair.
Wednesday has won four of their last six league games, and are now 10th in the Championship table, just six points back of the top six.
The last time these two sides met in an FA Cup match, City edged Wednesday 2-1 in 2007 in a replay. Overall, the Citizens are unbeaten against the second-division side in the last five meetings.
Arsenal vs Hull City
Arsenal and Hull will meet in a rematch of the 2014 FA Cup final when the Gunners narrowly defeated the Tigers in extra time at Wembley to capture their first trophy since 2004.
Hull will have extra motivation. Steve Bruce’s side is only two points above the relegation zone, so a deep run in this competition could alleviate some pressure on his shoulders.
Arsenal has a few injuries, so manager Arsene Wenger will probably play some of his reserves in order to rest some of his key starters.
At least three players will be out for Hull: Mohamed Diame, Robert Snodgrass and Michael Dawson.
The Gunners are unbeaten against Hull in their last five meetings, outscoring them 15-5, but the magic of the FA Cup has the ability of causing several upsets.
Saturday, January 3rd: Watch Tranmere Rovers vs Swansea City on Sportsnet World at 10:00 am ET. || Watch West Bromwich Albion vs Gateshead at 10:00 am ET online at Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Tranmere Rovers vs Swansea City
Swansea City has an easy match on paper against a struggling League Two side in Tranmere Rovers. The visitors have won just five domestic games since being relegated to the fourth tier at the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
However, Tranmere head into this match in their best form so far this season, having won three of their last five outings in the league, as well as knocking Oxford United and Bristol Rovers out of the FA Cup. On-loan defender Will Aimson is the side’s only injury absentee, as the youngster is currently recovering from surgery on a broken tibia.
Meanwhile, Garry Monk is likely to use some of his fringe players, as Swansea will be playing their third match in six days. The Premier League side will be without Jefferson Montero as he is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Jonjo Shelvey is unavailable after receiving a four-match ban for his elbow on Emre Can.
