Supporters will be hoping for a sprinkling of FA Cup magic as Premier League sides enter in the third round this weekend.
The famous old trophy is no stranger to a giant-killing overs the years, with some of English football’s biggest clubs all falling victim to a loss at a lower-league opponent over the years.
And while Manchester City’s home clash against Salford and Tottenham’s trip to Tamworth are banana skins the duo should avoid slipping up on, some of their Premier League counterparts look in real danger of an upset in some tricky ties.
Here are the top-flight sides most likely to be on the wrong end of a third-round shock this weekend.
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Wolves (away vs Bristol City)
Relegation-threatened Wolves travel to promotion-chasing Bristol City on Saturday lunchtime as manager Vitor Pereira gets his first taste of FA Cup action.
The Midlands side are out of the relegation zone on goal difference alone, so an away tie against a Robins team who dumped out West Ham at this stage last season could present some issues.
Liam Manning’s side come into the tie in good form, too, as they currently sit eighth in the Championship, just three points off the play-offs after three wins and a draw from their last four games.
The #EmiratesFACup third round is here 🤩
Who are you backing? 👀 pic.twitter.com/HW1IRJfWSA
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 9, 2025
Brighton (away vs Norwich)
Brighton’s impressive campaigns has dramatically halted in recent weeks and visit a Championship high in confidence in the form of Norwich at Carrow Road.
The Canaries are also in the race for the play-offs, with six of their nine league wins this season coming at home, while they have also collected 10 points in their last four.
With the Seagulls now without a win in nine games, Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side may well fancy their chances.
Southampton (home vs Swansea)
Southampton cannot buy a win in the Premier League this season and their miserable campaign could continue against Swansea on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints have won only one of their 20 Premier League games since returning to the top flight, with new boss Ivan Juric losing all three of his games since replacing Russell Martin, most recently a dismal 4-0 home defeat to Brentford.
Swansea are another of a cluster of sides capable of putting together a charge towards the play-offs during the second half of the season and a Southampton side devoid of confidence could well prove a favourable draw for the Welsh club.
