Saturday

Barnsley    1-3  M’brough         3pm

Championship side Middlesbrough are in the shape for a return to league, sitting in fourth place, five points adrift of leaders Bournemouth. Barnsley, on the other hand, are just six points off the drop zone of League Two. Still, this is a Cup that favours knockout mentality. Given Middlesbrough’s recent form, the trip to Barnsley should be without hiccups.

Bolton 0 - 3 Wigan    3pm

Bolton Wanderers recently recruited the services of former Liverpool and England misfit Emile Heskey. Along with Eidur Gudgjonsen, the two have a combined age of 72 and their are tasked with leading Bolton against any opponent, including recent Cup specialists Wigan Athletic. Bolton midfielder Lee Chung-yong misses the Cup third round derby after linking up with South Korea ahead of the Asia Cup, while defender Matt Mills is a doubt with a knock. Wigan, the 2013 FA Cup winners, will be without forwards Callum McManaman and Grant Holt. Wigan should win this.

Charlton 2-2 Blackburn           3pm

The two former Premiership perennial midtable finishers will serve up an exciting game. Both still have chances of returning to the big stage after languishing in the lower ranks. A draw could be the end of it.

fulham 0-2 wolves        3pm

Craven Cottage is always not the best place for Wolverhampton Wanderers to visit but this season, the Wanderers saw off their hosts in the league. Wolves are eight in the Championship, while Fulham are 17th. This is Wolves chance.

Leicester 2-1 newcastle         3pm

Leicester City showed some resilience and firm attitude on New Year’s Day at Anfield when they came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. For managerless Newcastle, it was not a day to keep in the memories after twice squandering leads against relegation candidates Burnley to draw 3-3. Papiss Cisse and with just caretaker managers, the Magpies will come under serious challenge. A home win is possible. 

Rochdale  1 - 0 Forest                             3pm

Rochdale are without midfielder Matty Lund for Nottingham Forest’s visit after he dislocated his shoulder. Dale are looking to knock out a Championship team again after beating Leeds in the third round last year. Forest are without the suspended midfielder Henri Lansbury, but defender Kelvin Wilson is available after a ban. Dale manager Keith Hill is confident his side can cause a surprise and defeat their Championship opponents with the backing of the home crowd. Forest are 11th in the Championship but are without a league win in six games. It gets worse today.

SUNDAY

QPR  1 - 2  Sheffield UTD                            1pm

A potential ‘Cupset’ awaits Rangers at home when Sheffield United visit for the third round tie. The gulf between the two sides is that QPR are fighting for survival in the top flight–which they look good to do–but United are two leagues further down fighting for promotion to the Championship. Cups give lower rank sides the motivation to square it out with their bigger sides and the pressure will  be on the hosts.

SUNday

ARSENAL  2 - 3  HUll City             10pm

Arsene Wenger used to use Cup games to experiment with his Gunners, until last year when he came under pressure to end his title drought. He deployed heavy weights for every Cup fixture and in the end his Arsenal side won it on penalties. Now defending champions, Arsenal will likely give this game to players returning from injuries and those who are struggling for fitness in the league, but the visitors will try to come full force at Arsenal since they are facing a tough season. The Tigers could win this.

MONday

BURNLEY  2 - 1  SPURS                 7.45pm

If Burnley can replicate the kind of game they put up against Newcastle, not even ‘Hurricane’ can stop them. It was Harry Kane that left Chelsea in tatters on New Year’s Day but he will be ineffective to shut up the hosts.

TUESday

EVERTON  1 - 3  WEST HAM   7.45pm

Roberto Martinez is now a firm candidate for the sack after turning the good fruits of last season into apathy this season. But the visitors are flying high in the league and Sam Allardyce will fancy chewing less gum under less pressure when he takes his side to Goodison Park. Martinez knows he must win this game to gain the confidence his side lacks in the league, but the Hammers have showed some determination this season.

*Seaman is a Liverpool fan