MX23RW : Thursday, November 14 22:24:59| >> :120:19311:19311:

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:
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho pictured on January 2, 2021
Read Next:
Five talking points ahead of this weekend's FA Cup clashes
>
Read more about Wayne Rooney Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe14102232161632
2Birmingham CityBirmingham1393124121230
3Wrexham1484222101228
4Barnsley147432318525
5Lincoln CityLincoln147432117425
6Stockport CountyStockport156632517824
7Mansfield TownMansfield137332015524
8Huddersfield TownHuddersfield147252114723
9Reading147252221123
10Bolton WanderersBolton147252224-223
11Exeter CityExeter137151410422
12Peterborough UnitedPeterborough156363127421
13Charlton AthleticCharlton145451515019
14Stevenage155371116-518
15Rotherham UnitedRotherham154561418-417
16Bristol Rovers145271621-517
17Northampton TownNorthampton144461821-316
18Blackpool144462128-716
19Wigan AthleticWigan143561212014
20Leyton Orient144281418-414
21Crawley TownCrawley153391427-1312
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge133191223-1110
23Burton Albion141581525-108
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1522111327-148


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!