The FA Cup Third Round sees Premier League teams enter the competition and offers a great opportunity for EFL and National League teams to generate extra revenue for their clubs.
The draw has offered up some interesting matches. There are in-form League Two teams who have fixtures against Championship sides who may prioritise safety over a cup run.
Importance of the FA Cup
The FA Cup is historic, first being played in the 1871-72 season. The FA describe it as the first of Football’s Great competitions. The competition allows teams from any level of the English football pyramid to enter, and while this is known as the third round, there have been eight rounds prior to this. Six rounds of qualifying to enter the First Round Proper started in early August.
Cambridge United vs Birmingham City
Cambridge came into the third round after a win against League One Stockport County on penalties. Cambridge haven’t lost in open play since before their First Round win over Chester. A run of 14 games where they have only conceded six goals, which have included two in the EFL Trophy.
The teams played together in League One last season, and while Birmingham won comfortably at home, it took a late own goal against 10 men to win in the return leg.
Birmingham have only won once in their last eight games, conceding twice. They haven’t won away from home since October and have been seven games without an away clean sheet.
Cambridge has conceded the fewest goals in League Two, and an upset will be based on whether they can keep Birmingham out.
MK Dons vs Oxford United
MK Dons open FA Cup action on Friday night, and they take on Oxford United, who sit 23rd in the Championship. They have lost four of their last five matches, and their only away win in their last 10 away matches has come at Sheffield Wednesday, the only team below them in the table.
MK Dons are the top scorers in League Two, and while they are winless in the last three, they are undefeated at home in the league since September. They reached the Third Round with a solid 3-1 win over Oldham.
Callum Paterson has been a standout player in League Two for MK Dons this season with eight goals and seven assists. He has scored three and assisted three in his last seven matches.
MK Dons are also planning a statement move for League One striker, Ben WIles, which would provide a boost to spirits ahead of a run for promotion alongside a potential cup run.
Norwich City vs Walsall
Walsall travel to Norwich on Sunday afternoon in their first competitive game against each other since 2010, when both teams were in League One.
Walsall have lost their last two games, but were undefeated in eight games before that. Norwich have struggled in their last two home games, failing to score in either game. Walsall will be looking to take advantage of Norwich, who may have their eyes more heavily focused on the league as they currently sit in the relegation zone.
Walsall will look to Daniel Kanu, who has been their main source of goals. He has scored 10 goals in 20 League Two games. He was involved in both goals in their second round win over Gateshead, which included a goal from the penalty spot. In the last 12 matches stretching back to the First Round game against Eastleigh, he has scored eight goals.