The third round of the FA Cup for the 2024-25 season has delivered excitement, with Arsenal set to host defending champions Manchester United in a high-stakes clash.
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Audible gasps filled the BBC studio as the draw paired two of England’s football giants.
Premier League Giants’ Matchups
While Arsenal faces a formidable challenge, other Premier League clubs have been drawn against lower-league opposition:
- Chelsea will welcome League Two’s bottom side, Morecambe, to Stamford Bridge.
- Liverpool is set to host Accrington Stanley, another League Two outfit, at Anfield.
- Manchester City takes on Salford City, a club owned by Manchester United’s Class of ’92, adding intrigue to the tie.
- Tottenham visits non-league Tamworth, one of the competition’s fairytale fixtures.
Full Third Round Draw
- Southampton vs Swansea
- Arsenal vs Manchester United
- Exeter City vs Oxford United
- Leyton Orient vs Derby
- Reading vs Burnley
- Aston Villa vs West Ham
- Norwich vs Brighton
- Man City vs Salford
- Millwall vs Dagenham and Redbridge
- Liverpool vs Accrington Stanley
- Bristol City vs Wolves
- Preston vs Charlton
- Chelsea vs Morecambe
- Middlesbrough vs Blackburn
- Bournemouth vs West Brom
- Mansfield vs Wigan
- Tamworth vs Tottenham
- Hull vs Doncaster
- Sunderland vs Stoke
- Leicester vs QPR
- Brentford vs Plymouth
- Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday
- Newcastle vs Bromley
- Everton vs Peterborough
- Wycombe vs Portsmouth
- Birmingham vs Lincoln
- Leeds vs Harrogate
- Nottingham Forest vs Luton
- Sheffield United vs Cardiff
- Ipswich vs Bristol Rovers
- Fulham vs Watford
- Crystal Palace vs Stockport
Key Changes and Schedule
Replays have been removed for all stages of the competition, ensuring matches go straight to extra time and penalties if tied after 90 minutes.
- Third Round: Saturday, January 11, 2025
- Fourth Round: Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Fifth Round: Saturday, March 1, 2025
- Quarter-Final: Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Semi-Final: Saturday, April 26, 2025
- Final: Saturday, May 17, 2025
A Tournament to Watch
With Arsenal vs. Manchester United leading the pack of exciting fixtures and potential for giant-killing stories, this year’s FA Cup promises drama and memorable moments.