The Emirates FA Cup third round proper takes place this weekend, with 32 ties scheduled between Friday 9 and Monday 12 January 2026.
Ahead of the action, we’ve pulled together some stats and records around each of the ties. You can see the full schedule and kick-off times for all the games here.
MK Dons v Oxford United
● This is the first ever FA Cup meeting between MK Dons and Oxford and their first encounter since September 2023 in an EFL Trophy match, won 1-0 by Milton Keynes.
● Oxford have lost just one of their six away games against MK Dons in all competitions (W1 D4), losing 1-0 in League One in December 2019.
● MK Dons have been eliminated in eleven of their 14 FA Cup ties against teams in a higher division, including six of their last seven such ties. Their one win in this run was a 1-0 victory at QPR in 2017-18.
● Oxford United are looking to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2019-20, having gone out at this stage in each of the last three seasons.
● MK Dons’ Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has been involved in four goals in his last four FA Cup appearances (two goals, two assists), scoring once and assisting twice this season.
Port Vale v Fleetwood Town
● This is the first ever FA Cup meeting between Port Vale and Fleetwood Town – they met earlier this season in the EFL Trophy, sharing a 3-3 draw.
● Fleetwood are winless in their last seven away games against Port Vale in all competitions (D3 L4) since a 2-1 win in May 2015.
● Port Vale have lost their last three FA Cup third round ties, conceding four goals in each defeat. They last reached the fourth round in 2013-14.
● Fleetwood Town are looking to go beyond the FA Cup third round for just the second in the club’s history, reaching the fifth round in 2022-23.
Preston North End v Wigan Athletic
● Preston have won each of their last four home games against Wigan in all competitions, most recently a 2-1 Championship victory in February 2023.
● This is the first ever meeting between Preston and Wigan in the FA Cup. They’ve met four times previously in the League Cup, with North End progressing from the first three (1980-81, 1988-89, 1996-97) but losing 2-1 most recently (2010-11).
● Preston North End – quarter-finalists last season – are looking to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup in consecutive campaigns for the first time since 2013-14/2014-15.
● Both of Wigan’s FA Cup ties this season have been won via penalty shootout – no team has ever gone to penalties in each of rounds one, two and three in a single campaign before.
● Wigan have lost five of their last six FA Cup ties against sides from a higher division, with the exception being a 3-2 win against Blackburn in the 2021-22 third round.
Wrexham v Nottingham Forest
● This will be just the second FA Cup meeting between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest, with the Red Dragons winning 3-1 at the City Ground in January 1982 previously.
● This is the first meeting between Nottingham Forest and Wrexham in any competition since the 1993-94 League Cup second round. After a 3-3 draw in Wales in the first leg, Forest won the second leg at home 3-1.
● Wrexham have won their last two FA Cup third round matches, beating sides from a higher division than themselves both times (v Coventry in 2022-23 and Shrewsbury in 2023-24).
● Nottingham Forest have reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in the last two seasons, last doing so in three consecutively between 1994-95 and 1996-97.
● Wrexham have alternated between progressing (4) and being eliminated (4) from their last eight FA Cup ties against top-flight opponents, losing 3-1 against Stoke City last time out in January 2015.
Cheltenham Town v Leicester City
● The only two previous meetings between Cheltenham Town and Leicester City were in League One in the 2008-09 season – the Foxes won 4-0 in both games.
● Although they were back in 2008-09, both of Leicester’s two wins against Cheltenham were by a four-goal margin. The only side they’ve won three in a row against by that margin were Fulham between February 1965 and April 1966.
● This is Cheltenham Town’s 11th FA Cup third round tie – they’ve progressed three times in 10 previous ties, doing so in 2001-02, 2005-06, and 2020-21.
● Leicester have won their last four FA Cup third round ties against sides from a lower division, scoring 13 goals and conceding just two since losing 2-1 to Newport in 2018-19.
● Cheltenham’s Isaac Hutchinson has been involved in four goals in two FA Cup appearances this season (three goals, one assist). The last Robins player to score in the first, second and third rounds of the FA Cup in a season was Tony Naylor in 2001-02.
Everton v Sunderland
● This is the first FA Cup meeting between Everton and Sunderland since the 2011-12 quarter-final, which the Toffees won 2-0 in a replay. Everton have knocked the Black Cats out eight times in the FA Cup, only eliminating Sheffield Wednesday more often (ten times).
● Sunderland have won two of their last 19 away games against Everton in all competitions (D4 L13), beating them at Goodison Park in back-to-back seasons in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
● Everton have reached the FA Cup fourth round in each of the last two seasons, last progressing from the third round in more consecutive seasons between 2008-09 and 2013-14 (six in a row).
● Sunderland have been eliminated in each of their last seven FA Cup ties against teams from the same division as them since beating Southampton 1-0 in the fifth round in 2013-14.
● Everton boss, and former Black Cats manager, David Moyes has been eliminated in eight of his last ten FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents – the exceptions were as West Ham manager in third round ties versus Leeds in 2021-22 and Brentford in 2022-23.
Macclesfield v Crystal Palace
● Macclesfield FC are competing in their first ever season in the FA Cup proper (first round onwards) – the last side to reach the fourth round in their first ever season was Harlow Town in 1979-80.
● Crystal Palace’s last FA Cup tie against a non-League side was in 2014-15, when they beat Dover Athletic 4-0 in the third round. They’ve won their last six against non-League teams in the competition since losing 3-1 to Yeovil Town in 1963-64.
● For the first time in their history, Crystal Palace are holders of the FA Cup. 12 of the last 13 holders of the trophy have progressed from the third round, with Arsenal the exception in 2017-18 when they lost 4-2 to Nottingham Forest.
● This is the first meeting between the FA Cup holders and a non-league team since 2004-05, when Manchester United needed a replay to knock out Exeter in the third round. The last holders to be knocked out by a non-League side were Wolves in 1908-09, doing so against Crystal Palace.
● Across the FA Cup first and second rounds this season, Macclesfield’s Daniel Elliott has had the most shots (17) and shots on target (13), while only Burton Albion’s Tyrese Shade (5) has netted more goals than Elliott (4).
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town
● Wolves have progressed from both of their FA Cup ties against Shrewsbury, needing a replay to do so both times (1978-79 quarter-final and 2018-19 fourth round).
● Shrewsbury have lost 14 of their 15 away games against top-flight opponents in the FA Cup, though the one exception was a 1-1 draw with Wolves in March 1979.
● Wolves have progressed from seven of their last eight FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, with the exception being a 3-2 home loss to Coventry in the 2023-24 quarter-final.
● Shrewsbury are looking to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2019-20, going out at this stage of the competition four times since then.
● Anthony Scully has scored four goals in his four starts in the FA Cup (first round onwards), netting a brace in Shrewsbury’s 3-1 win over South Shields in this season’s first round.
Boreham Wood v Burton Albion
● Boreham Wood and Burton Albion have never previously faced in the FA Cup proper (first round onwards).
● This is Burton Albion’s fifth consecutive FA Cup tie against a non-League team, progressing from three and being eliminated in the other (vs Tamworth in the 2024-25 second round) of the previous four. The last Football League team to have five ties in a row against non-League teams was Hereford United between November 1992 and December 1995 (seven).
● Boreham Wood have now reached the FA Cup third round in four of their last six seasons, also doing so in 2020-21 (eliminated), 2021-22 (progressed) and 2022-23 (eliminated). They are the first non-League team to reach the third round in as many as four out of six seasons since Altrincham did so in four in a row between 1978-79 and 1981-82.
● Burton Albion are looking to reach the FA Cup fourth round for just the second time in the club’s history, doing so in 2010-11. They’ve been eliminated in the third round six times since then.
● Boreham Wood have won their last two FA Cup ties this season both 3-0, beating Crawley in the first round and Newport in the second round. Since the creation of the Football League in 1888, there hasn’t been a single non-League team who’ve won three FA Cup games in a row (first round onwards) by a margin of 3+ goals each time (excl. void matches).
Burnley v Millwall
● Burnley and Millwall have only met in one previous FA Cup tie, with the Lions winning 1-0 at the Den in the fifth round in 2003-04 on their way to reaching that season’s Final thanks to a goal from Danny Dichio.
● Millwall have won one of their last nine games against Burnley in all competitions (D3 L5), a 1-0 home win in the Championship last season.
● Burnley have lost each of their last three FA Cup ties as a Premier League side, losing to Bournemouth in the fifth round in 2020-21, then in the third round to Huddersfield in 2021-22 and Tottenham Hotspur in 2023-24.
● Millwall have won just one of their last 14 away matches in the FA Cup against top-flight sides (D5 L8), beating Arsenal 2-0 in a third round replay back in January 1995.
● Millwall boss Alex Neil has managed five previous FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents and has been eliminated in all five ties, including one with the Lions last season against Crystal Palace.
Doncaster Rovers v Southampton
● This is the first ever meeting in the FA Cup between Doncaster Rovers and Southampton.
● The last meeting between Doncaster and Southampton was in the Championship in the 2011-12 campaign, with the Saints winning 2-0 at St Mary’s. They did lose 1-0 away from home that campaign, however.
● Doncaster have progressed from each of their last three FA Cup third round ties, including last season when they knocked Hull out on penalties after a 1-1 draw. They last reached the fourth round in consecutive seasons in 2008-09/2009-10.
● Southampton are unbeaten in their last 12 away FA Cup matches against sides from outside of the Premier League (W8 D4) since a 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers in February 2008.
● Doncaster’s 39-year-old striker Billy Sharp has scored 13 goals in 47 appearances in the FA Cup, though he is goalless in his last nine third round matches, last scoring at this stage back in 2012-13 for Nottingham Forest against Oldham Athletic. He scored in his last Doncaster appearance against Southampton back in December 2011, the winner in a 1-0 win.
Fulham v Middlesbrough
● Fulham are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Middlesbrough in all competitions (W4 D3) since losing 2-0 in the Championship back in February 2016.
● Middlesbrough and Fulham have never met before in the FA Cup – Boro are winless in their last 22 away FA Cup matches in London (D9 L13) since beating Charlton in January 1957.
● Fulham have progressed from each of their last six FA Cup third round ties since losing 2-1 at home to Oldham Athletic in 2018-19.
● Middlesbrough have lost their last four matches in the FA Cup, scoring just one goal. They have never previously suffered five consecutive defeats in the competition.
● Fulham manager Marco Silva has managed in seven previous FA Cup third round ties, and has won all seven matches by an aggregate score of 15-2.
Ipswich Town v Blackpool
● Ipswich and Blackpool have only faced in one previous FA Cup match – the Tractor Boys won 2-1 in a third round tie in 2009-10.
● Blackpool have lost six of their last nine games against Ipswich (W1 D2), all in the league. Their most recent meeting was a 2-0 win for the Tractor Boys in February 2021 in League One.
● Ipswich have won their last three FA Cup fourth round in each of the last three seasons, last having a longer run of reaching the fourth round between 2000-01 and 2003-04.
● Blackpool have been eliminated in 17 of their last 20 FA Cup ties against sides from a higher division, and have won one of their last 15 away games in the competition as a lower tier side (D4 L10), beating Barnsley 4-2 in January 2017 in a third round replay.
● Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has won six matches in the FA Cup with the club, the most by a Tractor Boys manager since George Burley (also six). The last manager with more wins in the competition with the club was John Lyall (seven).
Manchester City v Exeter City
● This is the first ever meeting between Manchester City and Exeter City – the Citizens have won their last five matches against English teams they are facing for the first time by an aggregate score of 23-2.
● Exeter City have been eliminated in their last ten FA Cup ties against top-flight sides since knocking out Leicester City in the fourth round in 1980-81.
● Since losing 2-0 to Middlesbrough in January 2015, Manchester City have won all 15 of their home matches in the FA Cup, scoring 65 goals. The last side to have a longer home winning run were Liverpool between 1939 and 1955 (16 in a row), which is a record for a league club in the FA Cup. The all-time record is 17 in a row by Clapham Rovers between 1873 and 1881 before the Football League was formed.
● Exeter won 3-1 against Oxford United in the FA Cup third round last season – the Grecians haven’t reached the fourth round in consecutive seasons since 1949-50 and 1950-51.
● In domestic cup competitions, Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been involved in 26 goals in 20 starts against sides from lower divisions (14 goals, 12 assists), winning all 20 of those games.
Newcastle United v Bournemouth
● Newcastle and Bournemouth have met in two ties before in the FA Cup – the Magpies won 2-0 in the third round in 1972-73, while the Cherries went through after a replay in the 1991-92 third round.
● Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last six matches against Newcastle (W2 D4) since a 1-0 defeat in the League Cup in December 2022.
● Newcastle have lost their last four FA Cup third round matches against Premier League opposition (2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2020-21), last progressing against a fellow top-flight side in 2011-12 when they beat Blackburn.
● Bournemouth have won their last four away matches in the FA Cup, their best-ever away winning run in the competition, with two of those wins coming at Premier League teams – Burnley in February 2021 and Everton in February 2025.
● Eddie Howe has lost six of his last nine home matches in the FA Cup (W2 D1), with four of those defeats coming with former club Bournemouth (W1 D1 L4) and two with Newcastle (W1).
Salford City v Swindon Town
● Salford are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Swindon in all competitions (W3 D2), already beating them 3-2 at home in League Two this season. This is the first FA Cup meeting between the sides.
● Having won their first three away games against Salford City in all competitions, Swindon are now winless in their last three visits (D1 L2).
● Salford City are playing in the FA Cup third round for just the second time in their history, going out at this stage 8-0 against Manchester City last season.
● Swindon Town have been eliminated from ten of their last eleven FA Cup third round ties, with the exception being a 2-1 win against Wigan Athletic in 2011-12.
● Kelly N’Mai has three goals in two FA Cup appearances this season, already the most by a Salford City player in a single campaign in the competition (first round onwards).
Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford
● Sheffield Wednesday are winless in their last four games against Brentford in all competitions (D1 L3), with this the first ever meeting between the sides in the FA Cup.
● Brentford won their last away game against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship in October 2020 – they’ve never won consecutive visits to Hillsborough in all competitions.
● Sheffield Wednesday lost on penalties against Coventry in the FA Cup third round last year, having progressed from each of their previous six third round ties in the competition. They last went out at this stage in consecutive seasons between 2005-06 and 2009-10 (five in a row).
● Brentford have lost each of their last three FA Cup third round ties, including a 1-0 defeat to Plymouth Argyle last season, who were bottom of the Championship at the time.
● Starting with the 1993 final against Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday were eliminated/beaten in 15 consecutive FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents, but have since won two of their last four.
Stoke City v Coventry City
● Stoke have already lost at home to Coventry in the Championship this season. Just three teams have won twice away against the Potters in the same campaign – Newcastle United (1950-51), Luton Town (1984-85) and Liverpool (2015-16).
● Coventry have won both of their previous FA Cup ties against Stoke, beating them 1986-87 fifth round en-route to winning the trophy, and in the 2017-18 third round.
● Stoke have been eliminated from eleven of their last 12 FA Cup third round ties when facing an opponent in the same division or higher. However, they did beat fellow Championship side Sunderland 2-1 last season.
● Coventry have won their last two FA Cup third round ties, and are looking to reach the fourth round in 3+ consecutive campaigns for the first time since a run of four between 2002-03 and 2005-06.
● Coventry’s Ellis Simms has been involved in eight goals in his last four appearances in the FA Cup, scoring six and assisting two.
Bristol City v Watford
● Bristol City are unbeaten in their last six home games against Watford in all competitions (W2 D4) since losing 2-0 in March 2012 in a Championship clash.
● Watford have progressed from all three of their FA Cup ties against Bristol City, knocking them out in 1931-32, 2013-14 and 2017-18. The Hornets have only eliminated Southend United and Crystal Palace from the competition more often (four times each).
● Bristol City lost 2-1 to Wolves in the FA Cup third round last season, last going out at this stage in consecutive seasons between 2007-08 and 2013-14 (a run of seven).
● Watford have been eliminated in each of their last seven FA Cup ties against sides within the top four tiers of English football, last progressing in the 2018-19 semi-final against Wolves, winning 3-2 at Wembley.
● Watford manager Javi Gracia led them to the 2018-19 FA Cup final in his first spell as manager, losing 6-0 to Man City. His most recent FA Cup tie was as Leeds United manager in February 2023, losing 2-0 to Fulham in the fifth round.
Cambridge United v Birmingham City
● This is the first ever FA Cup meeting between Cambridge United and Birmingham City, and first in a cup competition since the first round of the League Cup in 2020-21, won 1-0 by the U’s.
● Birmingham and Cambridge faced twice in League One last season, with the Blues victorious in both matches (4-0 at home & 2-1 away).
● Cambridge United have been eliminated in seven of their last eight FA Cup ties against sides in the top two divisions of English football – the exception was a 1-0 away win at Newcastle in January 2022.
● Birmingham City have progressed from 15 of their last 17 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, losing the others in the third round each time against Huddersfield Town in 2007-08 and Plymouth Argyle in 2021-22.
● This will be Cambridge manager Neil Harris’ seventh home FA Cup match against a team from a higher division – he has won four of his previous six (D1 L1), though lost his most recent with Gillingham against Leicester in January 2023.
Grimsby Town v Weston Super Mare
● This is Grimsby and Weston Super Mare’s first ever meeting in the FA Cup, and the fifth tie in six where the Mariners will meet a non-League opponent.
● Weston-super-Mare have reached the FA Cup third round for the very first time, beating fellow non-League sides Aldershot Town and Chelmsford City in the first and second rounds this season.
● Grimsby Town have only progressed from one of their last six FA Cup third round ties, though that was their most recent third round game in 2022-23, beating Burton Albion 1-0.
● Weston-super-Mare have never eliminated a Football League side from the FA Cup, facing EFL teams three times previously and going out each time. The last non-League side to see their first ever win against a Football League team in the competition come as late as the third round of the competition was Kidderminster Harriers in 1993-94 against Birmingham.
● Grimsby’s Danny Rose has scored four goals in his last five FA Cup appearances, with all four of those goals coming against non-League opponents in that run.
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
● Tottenham have lost two of their last three FA Cup ties against Aston Villa, going out against the Villans in the fourth round last season. The last team to eliminate Spurs from the FA Cup in consecutive seasons were Manchester United in 2007-08/2008-09.
● Aston Villa have already won 2-1 at Tottenham in the Premier League this season. As a top-flight side, the last team they beat twice away from home in a single campaign was Norwich City in 2012-13.
● Tottenham have progressed from 18 of their last 19 FA Cup third round ties, doing so in each of the last eleven campaigns since a 2-0 loss at Arsenal in 2013-14.
● Aston Villa have won their last two FA Cup third round ties, having been eliminated at this stage in each of the seven campaigns before this.
● Morgan Rogers has been involved in five goals in four appearances against Tottenham in all competitions (three goals, two assists), scoring and assisting in Aston Villa’s 2-1 win against them in the FA Cup last season.
Charlton Athletic v Chelsea
● This is the first meeting between Charlton and Chelsea since a February 2007 Premier League encounter, won 1-0 by the Blues. The Addicks have lost eight of their last 11 in all competitions against their London rivals (W1 D2).
● Chelsea have faced Charlton twice before in the FA Cup, winning both games 3-0 – in the fourth round in 1962-63 and the third round in 1994-95.
● Charlton Athletic have been eliminated in each of their last five FA Cup third round ties, last progressing to the fourth round in the 2013-14 campaign, knocking out Oxford United in a replay.
● Chelsea have progressed from 61 of their last 63 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, including their last 22 in a row. The two exceptions in this 63-tie sequence were against Barnsley in the 2007-08 quarter-final and in the 2014-15 fourth round against Bradford City.
● Chelsea’s João Pedro has been involved in seven goals in his last four starts in the FA Cup (six goals, one assist), coming while he was playing for Watford and Brighton.
Derby County v Leeds United
● Derby County have lost six of their last eight matches against Leeds in all competitions (W1 D1), losing the last three in a row.
● Leeds have progressed from each of their last four FA Cup ties against Derby, knocking them out in 1967-68, 1972-73, 1974-75 and 1995-96. The only team they’ve won five consecutive ties against in the competition are Wolves between 1935-36 and 1981-82.
● Derby have been eliminated in three of their last four FA Cup third round ties – as many as in their previous 16 third round ties combined.
● Leeds have progressed from each of their last four FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, having been eliminated in seven of their previous nine ties against lower tier opponents beforehand.
● Daniel Farke is winless in each of his four matches as Leeds manager against Derby’s John Eustace (D1 L3), all in the Championship across 2023-24 and 2024-25. He did, however, beat him 4-0 with Norwich against QPR back in April 2019.
Portsmouth v Arsenal
● Portsmouth are winless in their last 22 games against Arsenal in all competitions (D8 L14) since a 5-4 win in March 1958. Only against Chelsea (31 between 1962 and 2012) have they ever had a longer winless run.
● Arsenal have progressed from all four of their FA Cup ties against Portsmouth, in 1931-32, 1970-71, 2003-04 and 2019-20. They’ve only faced Brighton and Leyton Orient in more ties with a 100 per cent success rate (5/5).
● Portsmouth have lost their last three FA Cup third round ties, and their last five FA Cup ties against Premier League opposition since beating Tottenham Hotspur in the 2009-10 semi-final.
● Arsenal have been eliminated from the FA Cup third round in each of the last two seasons, albeit against Premier League opposition in Liverpool and Man Utd. They haven’t gone out at this stage in more consecutive campaigns since a run of four between 1938-39 and 1947-48.
● Since winning the FA Cup in Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge in 2019-20, Arsenal have gone out of the competition in either the third round (three times) or fourth round (twice) in the last five campaigns.
Hull City v Blackburn Rovers
● This will be the sixth FA Cup tie between Hull and Blackburn – the most recent between the sides was in the third round in 2017-18, with the Tigers winning 1-0.
● Five of the last seven meetings between Hull and Blackburn have won by the away side (D1 L1), all in the Championship. The first game between the sides this season was won 3-0 by Blackburn at the MKM Stadium.
● Since beating Fleetwood 2-0 in the FA Cup first round in 2020-21, Hull have been eliminated in five consecutive FA Cup ties, going out in the third round in each of the last four seasons. They’ve never previously had a sequence of being eliminated from six ties in a row in the competition.
● Blackburn Rovers have won eight of their last 12 away matches in the FA Cup (D1 L3), winning four of their last five (L1).
● Hull have been eliminated in their last six FA Cup ties against sides in the top two divisions of English football since beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 in January 2018.
Norwich City v Walsall
● Norwich and Walsall have met in two previous FA Cup ties – the Saddlers progressed after a second round replay in 1947-48, while the Canaries won 3-2 in the fourth round in 1965-66.
● Walsall are winless in their last 17 trips to Norwich in all competitions (D4 L13) since beating them 2-1 back in August 1948.
● Norwich City have won just one of their last 12 home matches in the FA Cup (D4 L7), a 2-0 win over Coventry in January 2021.
● Walsall have won seven of their last nine away matches in the FA Cup (D1 L1), winning both games this season on the road at non-League sides Eastleigh and Gateshead.
● Daniel Kanu has scored in the first and second round for Walsall in this season’s FA Cup. The last Saddlers player to net in the first, second and third rounds in a season was Andy Cook in 2018-19.
Sheffield United v Mansfield Town
● This is the first meeting between Sheffield United and Mansfield in any competition since August 2014, and a 2-1 win for the Blades in the League Cup first round.
● Mansfield have progressed from two of their three FA Cup ties against Sheffield United (1950-51 and 1968-69), though did lose the most recent one in the 1988-89 first round.
● Sheffield United lost 1-0 at home to Cardiff in the FA Cup third round last season, but haven’t gone out at this stage in consecutive campaigns since 2005-06/2006-07.
● Mansfield Town have been eliminated from ten of their last eleven FA Cup third round ties, with the exception being a 2-1 win at Brighton in 2007-08.
● Sheffield United have progressed from 19 of their last 20 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division than them, with the exception being a 1-0 loss to non-league Barnet in the 2018-19 third round.
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
● This is just the second ever FA Cup tie between Swansea and West Brom, with the Swans winning 3-2 in the 1986-87 third round previously.
● West Brom have won just one of their last eleven away games against Swansea in all competitions (D2 L8) and have already lost there in the league this season on New Year’s Day.
● Swansea have lost their last two FA Cup games by an aggregate score of 8-0. They last failed to score in three consecutive matches in the competition between February 1980 and January 1982.
● West Bromwich Albion have lost their last two FA Cup away games by an aggregate score of 8-1. They last lost more consecutively on the road between January 1996 and January 2001 (6).
● Swansea have progressed from just four of their last 12 FA Cup ties when facing a side from the same division as themselves.
West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers
● West Ham are unbeaten in their last five home games against QPR in all competitions (W3 D2), most recently a 2-0 victory in the Premier League in October 2014.
● QPR have progressed from their last three FA Cup ties against West Ham, most recently a 1-0 fourth round victory in 1994-95 under Ray Wilkins.
● Having progressed from six consecutive FA Cup third round ties between 2017-18 and 2022-23, West Ham have gone out at this stage of the competition in each of the last two seasons.
● Under the current format of the competition (since 1925-26), QPR have been eliminated from the third round of the FA Cup more often than any other side (52).
● When playing outside of the top-flight themselves, QPR have lost their last 12 FA Cup ties against top-flight opposition since beating West Bromwich Albion 1-0 in the 1981-82 semi-final.
Manchester United v Brighton and Hove Albion
● Manchester United have faced Brighton in six previous FA Cup ties and have been victorious in all six, most recently in the 2022-23 semi-final, winning 7-6 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
● Brighton have been eliminated from the FA Cup six times by Man Utd, the most they’ve ever been knocked out by one side. They’ve won three of their last four visits to Old Trafford – all in the Premier League – but did lose 4-2 there earlier this season.
● Manchester United have been knocked out in the FA Cup third round in just two of their last 40 ties at this stage, losing 1-0 to Leeds United in 2009-10 and 2-1 to Swansea City in 2013-14.
● Brighton have progressed from 14 of their last 16 FA Cup third round ties – the exceptions were against Hull in 2015-16 and Sheffield Wednesday in 2019-20, both 1-0 defeats.
● Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha has scored in each of his last four FA Cup appearances, all for Wolves between January 2024 and March 2025. Only four Premier League players have scored in five in a row since 1992-93 – Marc Overmars (1998-1999), Darren Bent (2012-2014), Wayne Rooney (2011-2013) and Romelu Lukaku (2014-2016 & 2017-2018).
Liverpool v Barnsley
● Liverpool lost their last FA Cup tie against Barnsley in the 2007-08 fifth round but they have progressed from their other four ties against them in 1894-95, 1905-06, 1913-14, and 1984-85.
● Barnsley have won their last two games at Anfield in all competitions, winning in the Premier League in 1997 and FA Cup in 2008. No side are on a longer ongoing winning run away at Liverpool than the Tykes (also Nottingham Forest and Atalanta on two).
● Liverpool have progressed from 13 of their last 14 FA Cup third round ties, losing the other 2-1 against Wolves in 2018-19. They haven’t been knocked out at this stage against a non-Premier League side since 2009-10, going out against Reading.
● Barnsley have been eliminated in each of their last six FA Cup ties against Premier League sides since knocking Chelsea out in the quarter-final in the 2007-08 campaign.
● Liverpool have won eight of their last nine FA Cup home matches (D1) since losing 3-2 to West Brom in January 2018. In fact, their last two home defeats have been against W teams (Wolves and West Brom) – they’ve won their last nine home FA Cup matches against sides not beginning with W by an aggregate score of 25-6.
