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FA Cup Third Round preview: No room for complacency for cup big guns

2 years ago
| BY News Team

The FA Cup Third Round always produces some fascinating clashes, with Premier League and Championships sides entering the competition offering plenty of potential giant-killing opportunities for lower league sides.

We preview the best of the ties below.

Hull City v Everton

It seems a long time since Hull City were in the Premier League and the Tigers have endured some tough spells since their relegation from the top flight in 2015. A further fall to League One followed two years later, but promotion to the Championship was achieved last season.

Grant McCann’s side have not found life back in the second tier easy going and they currently sit 19th with six wins from their 24 games. However, the Tigers have been in better form recently, losing only twice in eight games.

They might just fancy their chances against an Everton side that are desperately in need of a cup run to boost morale, after losing seven of their last 10 matches, a run that has seen them slip to 15th in the Premier League.

These sides have met seven times in the Premier League post 2009, with the Toffees managing four wins and only losing once. As expected, they begin as the firm favourites at odds of 19/20, but the Tigers are unlikely to lie down without a fight and can be backed at 11/4.

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

Arsenal have made a dramatic recovery after a slow start to this season in the Premier League, now finding themselves back in the top four and high on confidence after five wins from their last six games.

The FA Cup may represent their best chance of silverware this season though, so it’s likely Mikel Arteta will be fielding a strong side even against lesser opposition. The Gunners last won the competition in 2014, a record 14th triumph, and they are 4/7 to advance to the next round.

Nottingham Forest have their own rich history in the FA Cup and are two-time winners. They currently sit ninth in the Championship and have been in strong form, losing only three times in their last 18 games. Steve Cooper’s side will take heart from the fact they knocked the Gunners out of the 2018 FA Cup, when winning 4-2 at the City Ground. However, with Arsenal in their current form this assignment might just prove beyond Forest and that’s reflected in their price of 9/2.

Manchester United v Aston Villa

This all-Premier League clash looks a fascinating tactical battle between two managers – Ralf Rangnick and Steven Gerrard – who only took charge of their sides little over a month ago.

The appointment of both managers has sparked a revival in their sides, with Man United losing only once in their last five, though that defeat did come in their last outing against Wolves. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have won four and lost four during Gerrard’s reign, three of those defeats have come against Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea.

Man United have won the FA Cup on 12 occasions, with the last of those successes coming in 2015/16. They have an excellent record against Villa, having only lost twice in their last 20 meetings with the Birmingham side. Ralf Rangnick seems to have improved the tactical side of United’s game since taking charge and they are 8/13 to advance with victory at Old Trafford.

Steven Gerrard’s side are playing an entertaining brand of football, but a worry for them is they have only kept one clean sheet in eight games, which came against Norwich. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani in opposition the Villains might be hard pressed to keep their opponents at bay. They are a 9/2 chance to secure victory.

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