MX23RW : Wednesday, March 24 00:45:16| >> :600:103646:103646:

A look at five FA Cup ties that could bring about upsets

Bristol Rovers take on winless Sheffield United while depleted Derby could be vulnerable to Chorley.

The eagerly-anticipated FA Cup third round unfolds this weekend and plenty of big clubs will be hoping to avoid a potential banana skin.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at five of this year's ties which have the potential for a major upset.

Bristol Rovers v Sheffield United

Chris Wilder, left, is consoled by Roy Hodgson after his side's 15th Premier League defeat of the season at Crystal Palace last Saturday
Chris Wilder, left, is consoled by Roy Hodgson after his side's 15th Premier League defeat of the season at Crystal Palace last Saturday (John Walton/PA)

Rovers, 18th in Sky Bet League One with games in hand, have won four of their last five in all competitions and are ready to ambush the Blades, who have yet to win a game this season. Chris Wilder's rock-bottom side have made the worst-ever start by a Premier League club and the Pirates will relish the chance to heap more misery on them.

Chorley v Derby

Chorley's players celebrate Mike Calveley's winner in the second round at Peterborough
Chorley's players celebrate Mike Calveley's winner in the second round at Peterborough (Joe Giddens/PA)

National League North side Chorley may never get a better chance to create more history by reaching the fourth round. Wayne Rooney and Derby's entire first-team squad went into isolation this week after an outbreak of coronavirus forced the club to close their training ground and they will be fielding a team made up of under-23 and under-18 players.

Crawley v Leeds

Histon's players and fans celebrated a famous FA Cup victory over Leeds in 2008
Histon's players and fans celebrated a famous FA Cup victory over Leeds in 2008 (Chris Radburn/PA)

Leeds have fallen victim to more famous FA Cup giant-killings than most down the years. Newport, Sutton and Rochdale have all humiliated the West Yorkshire club in recent seasons and who can forget their humbling by Histon in 2008? John Yems' Crawley, unbeaten in their last eight League Two games, are in promotion form and will take plenty of heart.

Blackpool v West Brom

West Brom's only win in the Premier League this season was against fellow strugglers Sheffield United and a January trip to the seaside is the last thing boss Sam Allardyce would have wanted. The Baggies lost on their last visit to Bloomfield Road in 2010 when both sides were in the top flight and although Blackpool's League One form has faltered in December, a cup upset could kickstart their play-off challenge.

Marine v Tottenham

Marine, from the eighth tier of the football pyramid and the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, are still pinching themselves at the prospect of pulling off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history against Jose Mourinho's Tottenham. It is such a long shot – 1-20 with bookmakers – but the Northern League side, whose side includes teachers and NHS workers, will relish every minute.

ID:429538: cacheID:429538:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9679:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho pictured on January 2, 2021
Read Next:
Five talking points ahead of this weekend's FA Cup clashes
>
Latest Sports Video
Read more about Wayne Rooney Football

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Hull City372161062303269
2Peterborough UnitedPeterborough362061058372166
3Sunderland351713554272764
4Lincoln CityLincoln361881054381662
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster34176115344957
6Blackpool341681042301256
7Charlton AthleticCharlton371511115450456
8Portsmouth351671251381355
9Gillingham37166155349454
10Ipswich TownIpswich35166133937254
11Oxford UnitedOxford Utd36158134942753
12Accrington StanleyAccrington35158124944553
13MK Dons37149145452251
14Crewe AlexandraCrewe36149134446-251
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood371311134132950
16Plymouth ArgylePlymouth37139154758-1148
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury341113103939046
18Burton Albion36118174661-1541
19Swindon TownSwindon37114224465-2137
20Northampton TownNorthampton3799193253-2136
21Bristol Rovers3797213659-2334
22Wigan AthleticWigan3697203964-2534
23AFC Wimbledon35712163559-2433
24Rochdale36711184667-2132

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!