Bristol City v Middlesbrough
The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Third Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 5 January 2008
Ashton Gate, Bristol City FC
Winning clubs receive £40,000
The FA Live TV fee is £150,000 per club
Click here for fixtures

Middlesbrough ace Julio Arca is hoping that success in The FA Cup can help inspire them to an improvement in their faltering Premiership campaign during the second half of the season.

Gareth Southgate’s side find themselves in the lower reaches of the table going into 2008, but with attentions now focused on the Cup for this weekend, the 26-year-old is keen to help ‘Boro progress to the Fourth Round.

It won’t be an easy ride for ‘Boro though, as they have been drawn out to face Championship high-fliers Bristol City at Ashton Gate and with Gary Johnson’s team proving one of the in-form teams in their division, they won’t be short of confidence.

"We definitely need to get something to bring some confidence back,” admitted the Argentine midfielder, ahead of the trip to the south-west.

"I'm not sure exactly who will be involved, but the team that crosses the white line should be more than capable of getting us into the Fourth Round.

"It would be great to see the Riverside bouncing again, but first we need to get past Bristol.”

Whilst the priority for ‘Boro remains their Premiership campaign, Arca certainly sees a run in The FA Cup as a chance to build some confidence in the camp.

"It's not an easy cup to play, but if we start the competition well and get a few home draws, maybe even against a few of the lower side, then we can have a nice run,” he added.

"But we need to concentrate in the league as much as the Cup, that remains the priority.”