FA Cup tips: Betting previews, predictions, potential upsets & best bets for Saturday's third round action

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

Fulham v Aston Villa

  • 1501 GMT kick-off

Opta stats

  • Fulham and Aston Villa last met in the FA Cup in January 1999, with the Cottagers winning 2-0 at Villa Park as a third-tier side.
  • This is the first meeting between Fulham and Aston Villa since the 2018 Championship play-off final, a 1-0 win for Fulham at Wembley.
  • Fulham have been eliminated at the FA Cup third round stage in three of the last four seasons, having reached the fourth round in the seven seasons prior to that.
  • Since reaching the 2016 FA Cup final, Aston Villa have progressed from just one of their five FA Cup ties, beating League Two side Wycombe Wanderers in January 2016.
  • Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has only reached the fourth round once previously in eight previous campaigns as a manager, doing so in 2016-17 with Brentford. He has lost his last three FA Cup games by an aggregate score of 8-0.

Southampton v Huddersfield

  • 1501 GMT kick-off

Danny Cowley has collected seven wins and six draws since coming in as Huddersfield boss in September to steer them out of the relegation zone.

The former Lincoln boss has history of pulling off giant killings, with wins over Ipswich, Brighton and Burnley in 2016/17 when his side were in the National League. They reached the quarter-finals of this competition, even keeping Arsenal out for 45 minutes at the Emirates before the Gunners' quality eventually showed in the second half of a 5-0 win.

Huddersfield travel to a Southampton side whose league form has improved to take them up to 12th, but rotation could easily disrupt their flow and seeing them crash out here would be no great surprise.

In our exclusive chat with the 41-year-old in November, Cowley told us how they split the game into segments against these bigger sides in order to nullify the opposition. They are a tempting 13/2 to win but goals have proved be an issue for the Terriers which is why we will avoid that one.

But with the segmented approach in mind, backing a half-time draw at around 7/5 looks well worth considering - or a draw at 30 minutes at just under evens. Huddersfield will be no pushovers.

Best bet:

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  • This will be the first ever FA Cup meeting between Southampton and Huddersfield Town, both of whom are winners of the competition in the past – Saints in 1976 and the Terriers in 1922.
  • Southampton are unbeaten in their last five matches against Huddersfield (W2 D3) since losing 0-2 in October 2010 in a League One meeting.
  • Southampton haven’t been eliminated in the FA Cup third round in consecutive seasons since a run of three in a row between 1996-97 and 1998-99.
  • Huddersfield Town are winless in 11 away FA Cup matches against top-flight opponents (D2 L9) since a 2-1 win at Chelsea in January 1964.
  • In domestic cup competitions (FA/League Cup), Huddersfield have been eliminated from their last eight ties against Premier League sides since winning 2-1 against Birmingham at the John Smith’s Stadium in January 2008 in the FA Cup.

Brighton v Sheffield Wednesday

  • 1501 GMT kick-off

Opta stats

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  • This will be the first ever FA Cup meeting between Brentford and Stoke City, despite both teams playing in 100+ FA Cup campaigns.
  • Stoke are winless in three matches against Brentford (D2 L1), all in the Championship across the last two seasons – they drew 0-0 earlier this campaign.
  • Brentford reached the fifth round of last season’s FA Cup – the Bees haven’t progressed beyond the third round in consecutive seasons since doing so in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
  • Since winning 2-1 against Doncaster Rovers in January 2016, Stoke have been eliminated from each of their last four FA Cup ties, losing in a replay against Shrewsbury Town last season.
  • Stoke have never won an away FA Cup tie in London in 16 attempts (D6 L10), most recently losing 1-0 against Crystal Palace in 2016.

Preston v Norwich

  • 1501 kick-off

Opta stats

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  • Bournemouth and Luton Town haven’t faced since January 2009 in a League Two match, drawing 1-1 at the Vitality Stadium in Eddie Howe’s fourth match in charge of the club.
  • Luton and Bournemouth have only faced in one previous tie in the FA Cup, with the Hatters winning after a replay in the first round in 1969-70.
  • Bournemouth have been eliminated from each of their last four FA Cup ties, losing in the fifth round in 2015-16 and then the third round in each of the last three seasons.
  • Luton have won one of their last nine FA Cup matches against Premier League opposition (W1 D2 L6), winning 1-0 away at Norwich City in the fourth round in 2012-13 when they were a non-league side.
  • Bournemouth have been eliminated in the third round in the last three campaigns – only two Premier League sides have ever gone out at this stage in four consecutive seasons; Aston Villa (2001-02 to 2004-05) and Newcastle United (2012-13 to 2015-16).

Manchester City v Port Vale

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  • This is the first FA Cup meeting between Man City and Port Vale since January 1991, with City winning 2-1 with goals from Clive Allen and Niall Quinn.
  • Port Vale and Man City haven’t faced since October 1999 in the second tier – the sides met twice in the league that month, with City winning 2-1 twice.
  • Manchester City have won all four of their FA Cup home matches under Pep Guardiola by an aggregate score of 21-2.
  • Port Vale haven’t beaten a Premier League side in their last eight attempts in the FA Cup (D3 L5), last winning in February 1996 in a fourth round replay against Everton.
  • Among the 57 opponents Man City have faced at least 20 times in their history, their best win percentage has come against Port Vale (18 wins in 23 games – 78%).
  • Port Vale have faced the FA Cup holders twice in their history and eliminated them both times – Blackpool in 1953-54 and Everton in 1995-96. The Valiants are the only team to face the holders of the FA Cup more than once and eliminate them each time.

WATCH: Port Vale's Tom Pope and David Worrall on Man City challenge

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Keep an eye on Sporting Life for more FA Cup coverage including further tips for Sunday and Monday's action. And, throughout January, stick with us for all the best transfer window coverage with a daily blog here and done deals from across the Premier League, Sky Bet EFL and Europe here.

Odds correct as of 1400 GMT on 02/01/20

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