FA Cup third-round storylines as the Premier League pauses | OneFootball

With no Premier League fixtures, the FA Cup third round takes centre stage. According to NY Times, 32 ties unfold over four days and each will be settled on the day with extra time and penalties if required.

Wrexham, rejuvenated under co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds with three straight promotions to the Championship, face their first Premier League opponents of this era as Nottingham Forest visit on Friday. Forest’s midweek win at West Ham halted four defeats, and Europa League duties could mean rotation.

Defending champions Crystal Palace travel to sixth-tier Macclesfield on Saturday after last season’s Wembley win over Manchester City. The phoenix club, formed in 2020 and managed by John Rooney, have come through multiple qualifiers and play on a 4G surface at Moss Rose. Palace are winless in eight.

Manchester United and Chelsea seek a reset after the exits of Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca. Darren Fletcher stays in charge for United against Brighton, and with no European football after August’s Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town, the FA Cup is their best shot at silverware. Liam Rosenior debuts for Chelsea at Charlton after a 2-1 loss at Fulham made it five without a win.

Grimsby, who dumped United out of the Carabao Cup in August, now host Weston-super-Mare as favourites. Weston are second in National League South and at this stage for the first time in their 138-year history.

Under-pressure Premier League coaches Nuno Espirito Santo at West Ham and Thomas Frank at Tottenham face awkward home ties. QPR bring 9,000 fans to the London Stadium, while Aston Villa have already won at Spurs and knocked them out in last season’s fourth round.

Source: NY Times