Third round weekend in the FA Cup is one of the most popular soccer events on the calendar in England. The world’s most famous cup competition has been one of the most significant throughout history, and you can learn more about the FA Cup’s prestige here. You can find our FA Cup picks for today, January 11, here.
FA Cup Picks Today
Bristol City vs. Wolves
A trip to Ashton Gate isn’t ideal for Wolves following a heavy home loss at the hands of Nottingham Forest on Monday. The Robins have lost both previous matches against Wolves in the FA Cup, but they have an excellent record in this round of the competition. Bristol City could be a solid value angle to win a fifth match in seven in the third round.
Middlesborough vs. Blackburn
An all-Championship affair is set for the Riverside, as promotion rivals Blackburn and Middlesborough collide. The home side have won their last two FA Cup matches against Rovers, with the latest coming in 2002. However, Rovers are unbeaten on their last ten trips to the Riverside, meaning a tight draw in normal time could be likely.
Birmingham vs. Lincoln
Big-spending League One outfit Birmingham City have progressed from the third round in the cup in the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Lincoln have progressed from this stage in just five of their 34 attempts. The Blues are unbeaten in their last 18 matches against the Imps, and the preference is for the home side to continue that sequence.
Leicester vs. QPR
QPR and Leicester clash for the first time in the FA Cup since January 1987. A draw looks off the table this weekend, as none of the previous eleven have ended in ties. Leicester have won 18 of their last 24 matches in the competition, while the R’s have been eliminated at this stage more frequently than any other side since 1925-26.
Exeter vs. Oxford
Exeter have recorded just one win in their last 14 matches against Oxford, with that success coming in League One in 2023. Oxford have been eliminated at this stage in the last two seasons, while Exeter are bidding to reach the fourth round for the first time since 1980-81. The narrow nod is given to the visitors.
Sunderland vs. Stoke
Promotion-chasing Sunderland are enjoying an excellent campaign in the Championship. The Black Cats have won their last two against Stoke, but they haven’t recorded three successive wins since 1986. Stoke have looked more organized since the appointment of Mark Robbins, and they have progressed from seven of their last 15 ties in the third round.
Brentford vs. Plymouth
Brentford have failed to beat Plymouth in nine previous attempts in the FA Cup. However, this is the first meeting since 1998-99. The Bees have been eliminated in this round in the last two seasons, while Plymouth have reached the fourth round in the last three campaigns. However, the visitors are winless in their last 16 FA Cup matches against top-flight opposition.
Norwich vs. Brighton
Brighton are unbeaten in their last four against Norwich. The Canaries are winless in their last 16 matches against top-flight teams in the FA Cup since 1982. Meanwhile, Brighton have progressed from seven of their last third round ties in the FA Cup. An intriguing clash, but the FA Cup picks today side with the visitors.
Reading vs. Burnley
There is a case for the outsider when making FA Cup picks today. The Royals have won their last two FA Cup ties against promotion-chasing Burnley. Meanwhile, the Clarets have won on just one of their last 20 visits to Reading across all competitions. A home win could prove an interesting angle.
Preston vs. Charlton
Preston and Charlton meet in the FA Cup for the first time since 1966. The hosts have won their last four matches against the Addicks, with the latest coming in the second tier in January 2020. Charlton have suffered defeats in the third round in each of their last four, while Preston have lost seven of their last nine at this stage. Therefore, a case could be made for the draw.
Coventry vs. Sheffield Wednesday
Coventry have progressed from five of their last six FA Cup matches against Sheffield Wednesday. The latest of those came last season on their way to the semi-finals. The Owns ended a 15-game sequence without a victory against the Sky Blues earlier this season, and the preference could be the for visitors. That is based on the fact that they have reached at least the fourth round in every season since 2016-17.
Leyton Orient vs. Derby
Derby recorded a double over Leyton Orient in League One last season, while they also won the previous meeting between the sides in the FA Cup. Meanwhile, the O’s have only reached the fourth round once since 2010-11. Therefore, the preference is for the Rams to win a third match at the 18th attempt in the competition.
Mansfield vs. Wigan
Wigan and Mansfield meet in the FA Cup for the first time since November 1989. Mansfield ended a four-game losing sequence against the Latics earlier in the season with a 2-1 win in League One. However, Wigan’s away record in this competition is very eye-catching. The Latics have won six of their last eight on the road in the FA Cup, which includes victories in the last four.
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