FA Cup
FA Cup Third Round Predictions & Betting Tips (2025/26)
THE FA Cup Third Round was always a stand out feature on everyone’s football calendar when I was a kid growing up in the 1970’s.
I can still vividly recall some monumental giantkillings including Hereford United beating Newcastle United and Colchester United overpowering Leeds United (the top team in the country at that time).
Nowadays of course, Premier League sides tend to rest a number of players for the Emirates FA Cup Third Round.
However more and more games are being screened live through various different television companies so football betting activity is intense. Particularly with plucky Non-League representation hoping to upset the big boys.
Here are the upcoming pairings I am anticipating most accompanied by my considered score predictions to assist your FA Cup betting…
Friday 9th January 2026
Wrexham v Nottingham Forest
- Kick-off: 7.30pm
Wrexham preview – Seeking a fourth consecutive promotion overseen by their glitzy Hollywood owners. Presently one point outside the Championship Play-Off zone following four straight wins.
I must say movie stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney definitely knew exactly what they were doing purchasing Wrexham of the National League amidst a blaze of publicity during 2021. It has been a huge success story.
And from years gone by, I can conjure technicolour memories of Wrexham’s famous 1992 FA Cup Third Round 2-1 conquest of Arsenal at The Racecourse Ground – incorporating Mickey Thomas crashing a stunning free-kick past England goalkeeper David Seaman’s right hand.
Nottingham Forest – Boosted immensely via the vital 2-1 victory away to relegation rivals West Ham United on Tuesday night. This result elevated Forest seven points clear of the dreaded dotted line ending a depressing spectacle of four successive defeats.
Score prediction: Wrexham wonderful 4-3.
Saturday 10th January 2026
Macclesfield v Crystal Palace
- Kick-off: 12.15pm
Macclesfield preview – A romantic tie perfectly encapsulating the FA Cup’s eternal magic. Macclesfield lie 14th in the National League North – our sixth tier of English football.
Current form is patchy yielding two maximum pointers inside six League games. Overall though, Macc have clinched three promotions since rising from the ashes of now defunct Macclesfield Town in 2021.
Crystal Palace preview – The reigning Emirates FA Cup holders. Eberechi Eze’s 16th minute strike sealed a 1-0 triumph over favourites Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 17th May.
Eze left for Arsenal in August but Palace retain the potent goal threat of Jean-Philippe Mateta who has reached double figures so far in 2025/26. They’ve won five of their 10 away Premier League fixtures.
Score prediction: A sensational Macc attack 1-0.
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
- Kick-off: 5.45pm
Tottenham Hotspur preview – Spurs boss Thomas Frank has faced fierce criticism lately. That’s mainly due to poor home fortunes where two Premier League victories are recorded in 10 attempts to date.
Historically, Spurs possess eight FA Cup Final wins under their belt.
Aston Villa preview – Riding high in the Champions League qualification spots. Villa have lifted the FA Cup seven times although the last was in 1957.
Score prediction: Villa victorious 2-1.
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea
- Kick-off: 8pm
Charlton Athletic preview – Sitting 19th in the Championship nursing a four match winless sequence. Yet the expected crowd of 25,000-plus will signal their highest attended FA Cup tie at The Valley for 50 years.
Chelsea preview – Firmly in the headlines. Chelsea parted company with boss Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day whilst his club sat fifth in the Premier League.
Then five days later, Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior moved to Stamford Bridge as new head coach. No chance of winning the League so Rosenior will target a good FA Cup run to begin his tenure.
Score prediction: Charlton classy 2-0.
Sunday 11th January 2026
Portsmouth v Arsenal
- Kick-off: 2pm
Portsmouth preview – One point above relegation danger in the Championship filling 21st place. Merely three wins among the past 15 League encounters.
Arsenal preview – Premier League leaders and looking set fair for their first title beyond 2004.
Furthermore, Arsenal boast 14 FA Cup Final wins which is more than any other club in the competition’s history. Just two away League defeats across the 2025/26 campaign.
Score prediction: Pompey play it up 1-0.
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion
- Kick-off: 4.30pm
Manchester United preview – Ruben Amorim departed his head coach role on Monday.
Retrospectively, United have graced 22 FA Cup Finals – more than any other participant in our great competition’s existence – hoisting the coveted trophy aloft on 13 occasions. Only defeated twice at Old Trafford in 2025/26 Premier League endeavours.
Brighton & Hove Albion preview – Their most notorious FA Cup moment happened in an eventful 1983 Final – by coincidence, against Sunday’s opponents Manchester United. I watched it intently on television.
Deep into dying embers of extra-time, the scores were level at 2-2. Suddenly, Brighton’s unmarked striker Gordon Smith found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Gary Bailey.
This brought radio commentator Peter Jones’ forever immortal line: “…and Smith must score!” Alas, Smith didn’t score! Bailey made a point blank save and United cruised the replay 4-0.
Score prediction: United unblemished 3-0.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
