Best Giant-Killing Matches of the FA Cup Third Round | OneFootball

The biggest appeal of the FA Cup is the giant-killing. This is when a lower division team upsets a higher division opponent. The term is especially apt when there is a multiple division gap, or when a non-league (i.e. fifth tier or below) defeats anyone.

Some clubs have legendary giant-killing reputations. Back in 1948, non-league Yeovil Town defeated first Division Sunderland 2 – 1, starting a pattern which has seen them topple over 20+ sides from higher divisions. Other standouts include Hereford United, Sutton United and Altrincham.

We can’t guarantee that this weekend will see any giant-killings, but we can highlight the matches with potential, and give you some background information on the clubs involved.

Macclesfield F.C. vs. Crystal Palace

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 10 @ 7:15am ET. Streaming on ESPN+This fixture is a classic, featuring the biggest standings gap this round. A whopping 117 places sit between the sides.

Macclesfield F.C. National League North (6th Tier) Current Position: 14th (of 24)

Macclesfield is a phoenix club, meaning it arose from the demise of a previous club that went bankrupt. They reformed in 2021 down in the 9th tier of the pyramid. Three successive promotions in four years have ensued. Their current manager, John Rooney, was a player for the club last season. He also happens to be Wayne Rooney’s younger (and fitter) brother.

Crystal PalacePremier LeagueCurrent Position: 13th (of 20)

Despite a poor run of form, very few expect Palace to lose this match. They are the defending Cup champions, and the FA Cup was the club’s very first trophy, so making a deep run in the competition is a matter of pride for the South London team. Expect Oliver Glasner to start a strong side.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Shrewsbury Town

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 10 @ 7:15am ET. Streaming on ESPN+This fixture has the second largest standings gap, with 70 places between the two. It also happens both sides are sitting in the relegation zone of their respective leagues.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Premier League Current Position: 20th (of 20)

Though sitting deep in the Premier League barrel, Wolves are coming into this fixture on a bit of a tear. They have three straight non-defeats (draw-win-draw), which in a season as catastrophic as this one, is a real positive.

Shrewsbury Town League Two (4th tier) Current Position: 22th (of 24)

This will be a tall order for the Shrews. Molineux is a hostile atmosphere, and the home side is in the best form of the season. Shrewsbury, on the other hand, have lost their last four.

Boreham Wood vs. Burton Albion

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 10 @ 10:00am ET. Streaming on ESPN+This is the match with the greatest likelihood of a #cupset. I’ll explain.

Boreham Wood National League (5th tier) Current Position: 2nd (of 24)

With a 4,500 capacity, Meadow Park is the smallest stadium hosting a match this round. But the team that plays there is by any reasonable standards hot, Hot, HOT. They’ve won 9 of their last 10 matches with a +18 goal differential. Their only loss was in PKs after a 3 – 3 draw in the FA Trophy. They’ve scored the second highest number of goals in the National League (48). Striker Matt Rush has 14 goals already this season. This side is primed, keen, and has a good chance to win.

Burton Albion League One (3rd tier) Current Position: 21st (of 24)

Currently in the relegation zone, Burton Albion will be traveling to Meadow Park in creaky form. They have two wins in their last ten. The Brewers will need to look sharp and be at their best if they wish to avoid humiliation.

Grimsby Town vs. Weston-super-Mare

Kickoff: Saturday, Jan. 10 @ 12:45pm ET. Streaming on ESPN+

Grimsby Town League Two (4th tier) Current Position: 13th (of 24)

The Mariners already took a scalp this season when they defeated Manchester United in a Carabao Cup tie back in September. Now they’re looking to avoid a similar fate from a non-league contender. The only time these two met was back in 2016 during the FA Trophy tournament. Grimsby won 3 – 1.

Weston-super-Mare National League South (6th tier) Current Position: 13th (of 24)

The Seagulls have a curious historical claim to fame, having been relegated only once since their founding in 1887 (this was in 2018/19). They are a perennial non-league club, who only enter the wider consciousness of non-supporters in competitions such as this. Making the 3rd Round is their best FA Cup run ever, and how thrilled they must have been to draw Grimsby as opposed to a Premier League side.

Weston are making a solid run in their league and are only a point behind first place. They don’t score as many goals as other top NL South teams, but when they do it’s likely 24 year-old Louis Britton who’s nabbing them. He has 14 on the season.

Norwich City vs. Walsall

Kickoff: Sunday, Jan. 11 @ 9:30am ET. Streaming on ESPN+

Norwich City EFL Championship (2nd tier)Current Position: 22nd (of 24)

The canary is fainting in the coal mine. It’s not been a good season for Norwich City, and this FA Cup tie comes as an unwelcome distraction for a side seeking to avoid relegation. The good news is that four of their six wins have come in the past ten matches, marking the strongest form the club has seen all season. Home field advantage will be key. Their defense has to stop Walsall’s Daniel Kanu.

Walsall FCLeague Two (4th tier) Current Position: 3rd (of 24)

The Saddlers will be hoping for another trip to Wembley after playing there in the 2025 League Two play-off, but will need to get past a struggling Norwich City first. They travel to Norwich City with back-to-back losses which have dented their tremendous season and slid them down to 3rd place. They have the second stingiest defense in League Two, conceding only 23 goals in 24 matches. Sierra Leonean striker Daniel Kanu has nearly a third of the club’s goals. When he does well, Walsall do well.