Up for the Cup: lower-league clubs that can spring a surprise in the FA Cup third round

The third round of the FA Cup is the point in the world’s oldest domestic cup competition that Premier League clubs join the fray – meaning that they can be drawn against one another, or against lower-league opposition that will revel in taking on the big guns.

There are countless examples of big shocks and upsets in the third round of the FA Cup over the years. Below, we take a look at the teams who are perhaps best placed to follow suit in January 2025.

Manchester City vs Salford City

In Pep Guardiola’s eight completed seasons as Manchester City head coach, the club has won six Premier League titles but only two FA Cups.

This reminds us of the difficulty of being consistent in knockout-style football, but also that Pep doesn’t necessarily take this competition all that seriously – there is, in his opinion, bigger fish to fry.

Despite this, City are the bookmakers’ favourite in the FA Cup betting odds. However, those considering using sign-up bonuses in order to back them to lift the trophy may be better served using such an offer to wager on a different team, or instead claim free spins or 100% deposit match bonuses to use at an online casino.

While City’s FA Cup record in recent years – winners in 2023, runners-up in 2024 – has improved, with the club reeling from their poor form in the Premier League and Champions League, it’s likely that Pep will rest first-team players in the FA Cup games to keep them fresh for more pressing matters.

So, step forward Salford City, whose third-round clash with the Cityzens is akin to a local derby for them. Ben Woodburn, Cole Stockton and Kelly N’Mai are all capable of hurting City if they turn up with anything less than 100% commitment.

And how much would Salford’s ownership team (consisting of former Manchester United icons such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville) love to get one over on their old rivals?!

Crystal Palace vs Stockport County

After an impressive end to the 2023/24 season under new boss Oliver Glasner, in which they romped to five high-scoring wins in their final six Premier League games, Crystal Palace have regressed once more.

At the time of writing, the Eagles find themselves just one place above the relegation zone in the Premier League, having won just two of their 15 games.

The interesting thing about their Selhurst Park ground is that, by modern standards, it’s small, intimate and claustrophobic. This can be a real advantage when things are going well, because their vociferous supporters can unsettle their team’s opposition.

However, when things are going badly, the atmosphere can sour, and you can rest assured that the Palace players will hear the grumblings.

The rise and rise of Stockport County has been so impressive. As recently as 2019, they were still playing in the Vanarama National League North. Now, following significant investment and the perks that winning momentum brings, they find themselves in the play-off places in League One.

There’s a confidence about Stockport that they can continue to ascend up the English football pyramid along the way, so they are very much a dangerous opponent for an out-of-form Premier League outfit such as Crystal Palace.

Everton vs Peterborough United

Cup football, by its very nature of one-off knockout games, lends itself to shock results.

It’s possible that a lower-league team, if they bring their A-game, can beat a side from a higher level – particularly if the favourite has shown vulnerability.

Peterborough, despite their lowly position in the League One table, scored 33 goals in their opening 18 games. Only table-toppers Wycombe managed more.

Everton, by contrast, are not prolific. After 15 rounds of Premier League games, only Southampton had netted fewer than their tally of 14.

It’s all relative, of course, with the Toffees campaigning at a higher level than the Posh, but even so, it doesn’t take much of a leap of faith to see a free-flowing, confident Peterborough side getting the better of their Premier League opponents on the day.

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