The New Year in the Premier League in the Premier League brings with it yet another domestic tournament which gives a chance to all the clubs in the English domestic circuit a chance at silverware.
The 3rd round of the FA Cup will be played this weekend and there are 32 matches in the round and a few of them promise to go the distance on the night. Let’s take a look at the top 10 matches to look out for in this round of the FA Cup:
Exter City vs Liverpool (8/1/16; KO – 7:55 pm BST (1:25 am on 9/1/16 IST)):
Jurgen Klopp started the new year with a loss to West Ham but bounced back to take a one-goal advantage in the two-legged semi-finals of the League Cup. They will hope to qualify for the next round in the FA Cup as they will play Exter City away from home.
Arsenal vs Sunderland (9/1/16; KO – 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)):
Sunderland were drawn a relatively tough fixture against the holders of the FA Cup in Arsenal. The Black cats will travel to the Emirates and will hope to take it to the Stadium of Light with a strong performance against the leaders of the Premier League.
Norwich City vs Manchester City (9/1/16; KO – 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)):
The Canaries will welcome the Citizens in an intriguing 3rd round encounter in the FA Cup. Norwich City have recently fought out some good results in the Premier League and will hope to shock Manchester City who are fresh off a 2-1 defeat at the Goodison Park.
Birmingham City vs AFC Bournemouth (9/1/16; KO – 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)):
The Cherries under Alex Neil have shown great spirit in the league this season. They will surely test the bigger sides in this tournament but will start their journey with an away game against Birmingham City. This will not be too hard for the visitors as they will try and go the distance in the competition.
Nottingham Forest vs Queens Park Rangers (9/1/16; KO – 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)):
In a top of the table battle from the Championship, Nottingham Forest and QPR will go head to head in the 3rd round of the competition. Forest will have a upper hand in the game playing at home but the visitors will hope to knock them out and advance to the next stage.
Southampton vs Crystal Palace (9/1/16; KO – 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)):
Alan Pardew’s side has been exceptional this season and has shown that they belong to the top half of the table. They will hope to conquer the Saints in their home ground and will be hoping to extend their cup run for as long as possible.
Watford vs Newcastle (9/1/16; KO – 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)):
Sanchez Flores has done wonders with the newly promoted Watford side which lies in the top half of the Premier League table. They have been gritty and will hope to taste success in the FA Cup when they face a Newcastle side that is struggling for any kind of momentum.
Manchester United vs Sheffield United (9/1/16; KO – 3:00 pm BST (8:30 pm IST)):
The Red Devils have not had the best of the season so far in the Premier League but will be hoping to get their hands on silverware in the FA Cup. They are drawn a relatively easy fixture against Sheffield United who will travel to the Old Trafford for this fixture.
Chelsea vs Scunthorpe United (10/1/16; KO – 2:00 pm BST (7:30 pm IST)):
With the league title completely out of the picture, the only real shot at silverware for Chelsea is the FA Cup. They will start their campaign with an easy fixture against Scunthrope United at the Bridge in their bid to find some sort of success in this dreadful season.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City (10/1/16; KO – 4:00 pm BST (9:30 pm IST)):
In the fixture of the 3rd round, two clubs in the top 5 spots in the Premier League will go head to head at the White Hart Lane when the Spurs welcome high-flying Leicester City on Sunday. Both clubs have played different brands of football and the game promises to be a ripper.