FA Cup Tipsheet: Best bets and predictions for Sunday's third round contests | OneFootball

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Derby vs Leeds - Rams to test Leeds' resolve

Sunday, 12:00, Live on TNT Sports 2

Derby will renew their rivalry with Leeds on Sunday afternoon, with the schedule giving them an automatic advantage over the Whites. The visitors were involved in an energy-sapping, topsy-turvy tie at St. James' Park on Wednesday night, and that could take its toll at Pride Park.

John Eustace will use this tie as an excuse to rotate this squad, and although they've had time to rest and recover, he'll be aware of the upcoming schedule, which has them playing three times in the space of six days. The returning David Ozoh and new signing Oscar Fraulo are likely to be amongst the subs, with Andreas Weimann, Courtney Blackett-Taylor, and Lewis Travis all likely to feature.

Derby are far from the highest scorers in the second tier, yet they've found the net in each of their last 11 at Pride Park and there should be a decent atmosphere inside the stadium. Fixtures between these two sides are always competitive, with the controversial 'Spygate' still lingering in the memories of some supporters.

Leeds' seven match unbeaten streak was ended on Wednesday night and following a hectic festive period, Daniel Farke will likely rotate for this fixture. Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn't likely to be risked with Lukas Nmecha, Joel Piroe and Noah Okafor all likely to play some part. The last time that Leeds were a PL side, they went to Cardiff in the third round, drawing 2-2 and earlier this season, they crashed out of the EFL Cup on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday with the tie finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes.

For all their attacking endeavour, the visitors have a habit of switching off at crucial moments and it feels unlikely that they will keep a clean sheet here.

Portsmouth vs Arsenal - Gunners to ease past the injury-hit hosts

Sunday, 14:00, Live on TNT Sports 1

Although the chance to host Arsenal would be considered a decent FA Cup draw for many EFL sides, this is probably a fixture that John Mousinho and Portsmouth could do without. Pompey sit just a point above the Championship relegation zone, and have back-to-back away games on the horizon. Furthermore, their injury situation is making it difficult for Mousinho to name a competitive XI and they are yet to make any additions in the January transfer window.

They were easily swept aside by Bristol City last time out, and although they were afforded a chance to rest and recover with last Sunday's fixture being postponed, they remain down to the bare bones. Although he has been a bit-part player this season, Min-Hyeok Yang has returned to his parent club and been loaned to Coventry City.

The hosts recent record in this competition is poor, crashing out in the third round on three consecutive occasions and failing to score against lower-league opposition in each of the last two seasons. Furthermore, they were beaten by League One Reading in the EFL Cup in the Autumn.

This is another quick turnaround for Arsenal, who took on Liverpool on Thursday night. With an EFL Cup tie in midweek, Mikel Arteta is likely to make changes, yet he has opted for fairly strong XIs in that competition and even with key players rested, they will still have too much for the hosts.

Hull vs Blackburn - Tigers to avenge August's defeat

Sunday, 14:30, Live on TNT Sports 7

Hull's game last weekend was postponed due to the cold snap and it's been ten days since the Tigers were last in action. That is undoubtedly a positive for the hosts, although it remains to be seen how seriously Sergej Jakirovic takes this competition. They named a strong XI in the EFL Cup, drawing 3-3 with Wrexham and Seny Dieng looks set to sign for the club before this game takes place.

In August they hosted Blackburn at the MKM although an illness swept through the camp, forcing Jakirovic to make several enforced changes to his side. It resulted in their worst performance of the season, and a 3-0 defeat. They will keen to compensate their fans for that torrid 90 minutes.

Blackburn came back from 2-0 down to pick up a point against Charlton on Sunday. They haven't had the benefit of a rest and they are amidst a debilitating injury crisis. They have added Eiran Cashin to their squad this week, boosting their numbers, yet they look light in forward areas. Several academy prospects may feature in some capacity with the influential Todd Cantwell expected to be given the day off.

Val Ismael's side are plummeting towards the relegation zone and they could do without this game. They are unlikely to progress.

Norwich vs Walsall - Canaries to battle through to the fourth round

Sunday, 14:30, Live on TNT Sports 9

Norwich looked exhausted at the end of their 2-0 defeat to Stoke with the Canaries having played four times in nine days with very little rotation. There are still some injury concerns, although Philippe Clement has suggested that he will name a strong XI for this tie and is vowing the take the cup seriously. New signing Ali Ahmed could feature in some capacity, with Mathias Kvistgaarden back in contention too. Clement could opt to rest Kenny McLean, who is pivotal to the way they play, although he may not have enough options to give Pelle Mattsson the afternoon off. Jacob Medic, Dan Grimshaw and Tony Springett should all come in.

Norwich may have slipped up against the Potters, yet they have looked far more assured at the back recently and they don't give much away.

Walsall suffered a blow with loanee Ryan Finnigan recalled by Blackpool. They have replaced him with Alex Pattison, who has joined from Bradford. The Saddlers remain in contention for automatic promotion in League Two, yet their progress has stalled and they have slipped to third spot. Mat Sadler's style has been criticised by some supporters and they have failed to score more than a single goal in any of their last six outings. They are unlikely to change their style and will look to keep this tight.

Sheffield United vs Mansfield - Another entertaining afternoon in South Yorkshire

Sunday, 14:30, Live on TNT Sports 8

Sheffield United are making progress in the Championship and Chris Wilder will be keen to maintain that momentum. The Blades should be relatively well-rested with last weekend's match having been called off, although some rotation is expected. The hosts have the benefit of sitting in midtable, and they have a deep squad which has managed to remain largely injury-free.

Danny Ings is likely to be given the nod, with Oli Arblaster, Tahith Chong and Jamie Shackleton also set to feature. Sydie Peck, Ryan One and Ben Mee are other options.

The hosts have an average home xG of 1.8 and have netted 3+ goals in four of their last five at this stadium.

Mansfield's squad has been stretched by the hectic fixture list and they have multiple injuries to contend with. They have added Barnsley's Jon Russell and Spurs' Oliver Irow, both of whom could feature on Sunday afternoon. A striker is also on their shopping list.

The visitors have a poor record at this stage of the competition, being eliminated in ten of their last 11 third round appearances. They came back from 2-0 down against Accrington in the previous round and only just overcame Harrogate in R1. They should be able to play their part in an entertaining contest.

Swansea vs West Brom - Nothing between the two divisional rivals

Sunday, 14;30, Live on TNT Sports 6

Swansea have improved since Vitor Matos arrived in South Wales. They have won five of their last eight, coming out on the right side of some tight games. One of those victories was against today's opponents, a game which was decided by a single moment of quality.

There will be plenty of rotation from the hosts with a triple header of fixtures taking place in the next ten days. Matos is unlikely to risk Van Zipotnik given the club's lack of attacking options with Zeidane Inoussa and Bobby Wales both coming into contention. Marko Stamenic and Ollie Cooper may also feature, although the returning Josh Key is unlikely to be thrust straight back into the XI.

West Brom sacked Ryan Mason following their 2-1 defeat at the KP. The Baggies away form has been borderline embarrassing this season, although Mason's dismissal may prompt an upturn in performances on the road. James Morrison is back in charge and he is unlikely to do anything too radical.

This could end in a stalemate.

West Ham vs QPR - Entertaining London derby

Sunday, 16:30, Live on TNT Sports 5

West Ham's week lurched from bad to worse with a potentially damaging defeat against freefalling Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night. On a positive note, they have been able to add Taty Castellanos to their squad this week and they can rest and rotate key players for this FA Cup tie. Nuno's men exited the EFL Cup in spectacular style losing 3-2 at Molineux and were defeated at Selhurst Park at this sateg of the competition last January.

They will be pleased to be drawn against second tier opposition and it will give them a chance to take their mind off the relegation battle for a few days. WHU are struggling at the back and haven't managed to keep a clean sheet since the end of August. That should give QPR a fighting chance.

The visitors were licking their lips last season when they were drawn against a side who were fighting relegation from the PL. Nevertheless, they were pummelled 6-2 by Leicester and mustn't get too confident heading into this tie. They have several injuries including Rumarn Burrell, who is out until March. They lost 3-2 at Plymouth in the EFL Cup and although a little rotation is likely to take place, the likes of Sam Field, Paul Smyth and Isaac Hayden may struggle to keep the hosts off the scoresheet.

It's a short trip across the capital for QPR fans and they should travel in numbers. They should get to witness an absorbing FA Cup contest.

Manchester United vs Brighton - BTTS at Old Trafford

Sunday, 16:30, Live on TNT Sports 1

At the time of writing, the Manchester United managerial situation remains unresolved. Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge and he is likely to lead the Red Devils into this FA Cup third round tie. He wasn't able to overcome Burnley on Wednesday night, although there were several positives to take from the performance, including the sharpness of Benjamin Sesko.

United's form is underwhelming and although the debate continues to rage on the subject of a back three vs a back four, the current defence cannot stop conceding goals and has failed to keep a clean sheet against three of the bottom six.

Brighton held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in midweek and could easily have taken all three points back to the AMEX. The Seagulls were beaten 4-2 here earlier in the season, and rarely keep a clean sheet on their travels. They can be a little unpredictable and changes are expected to the XI, yet the same energetic approach will be deployed.

The last time these two sides met in the FA Cup, they played out an underwhelming goalless draw. This will surely be far more of a spectacle for the neutral.