The 2024-25 FA Cup will stage its iconic Third Round Proper from Thursday 9 to Monday 13 January, as the Premier League and EFL Championship clubs join those teams from the lower English and Welsh leagues in a flurry of knockout football that embodies the ‘David v Goliath’ ethos more than any other sporting event in the world.
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The headline match arrives on the later afternoon of Sunday 12 January, as Arsenal welcome reigning FA Cup champions Manchester United to the Emirates Stadium. These teams met in the Premier League just last month – with the Gunners winning 2-0 at home – and Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim has identified dead-ball situations (where Arsenal have been so strong in the last 18 months) as a key facet of this upcoming clash.
“Set pieces. That is important,” the Portuguese tactician noted. “And we have to be more aggressive near the opponent’s box. But we have a lot to improve in all areas of the team.”
The Third Round Proper action gets going on Thursday 9 January, headlined by a clash between Everton and Peterborough which could see Toffees veteran Ashley Young (39) come up against his son Tyler (18)! “Wow… Dreams might come true,” the elder Young posted on X in reaction to the draw.
One of the best parts of the FA Cup is the potential ‘giant killings’ in which small clubs take down Premier League and Championship heavyweights. Accrington Stanley (League Two), for example, will have a dream tie away to top-flight leaders Liverpool at Anfield early on the afternoon of Saturday 11 January. This will be the first meeting of the clubs for 69 years.
Other stand-out ‘David v Goliath’ clashes include Chelsea v Morecambe (League Two), Leeds United v Harrogate Town (League Two), Newcastle United v Bromley (League Two), Tamworth (non League) v Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City hosting local ‘rivals’ Salford City (League Two).
Salford are owned by Project 92 Limited, which is made up of Manchester United legends David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers (Phil and Gary), as well as business magnate Peter Lim.
“We wanted [Manchester] United, particularly for the owners of the club, but we’ll take City,” Salford captain Curtis Tilt said in reaction to being paired with the reigning Premier League champions and last season’s FA Cup runners-up.
“We’re absolutely delighted,” added the centre-back. “We couldn’t have asked for anything better. We’ll go there and see if we can cause an upset.”
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Broadcast details
Times CAT
Friday 10 January
22:00: Aston Villa v West Ham United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
Saturday 11 January
14:00: Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 360
14:00: Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 1
14:15: Liverpool v Accrington Stanley – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
16:00: Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers – LIVE on SuperSport Events
17:00: Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2
17:00: Chelsea v Morecambe – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
17:00: Nottingham Forest v Luton Town – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 1
17:00: Brentford v Plymouth Argyle – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 4
17:00: Reading v Burnley – LIVE on SuperSport OTT7
17:00: Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 1
19:45: Leeds United v Harrogate Town – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3
19:45: Manchester City v Salford City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
Sunday 12 January
14:30: Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
17:00: Newcastle United v Bromley – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 3 and SuperSport Maximo 1
17:00: Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 1
17:00: Arsenal v Manchester United – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League and SuperSport Maximo 2
17:00: Crystal Palace v Stockport – LIVE on SuperSport Variety 2
18:30: Southampton v Swansea City – LIVE on SuperSport Events