FA Cup third-round shock ratings: With 17 ties pitting Premier League sides against lower-league opponents, where could the upsets happen?

  • The FA Cup third round draw has thrown up some potential classics this season
  • In total, 17 ties pit Premier League clubs against sides outside the top tier
  • Potential shocks include Coventry v Stoke and Newcastle United v Luton Town
  • Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs must also avoid banana skins

It is  a sainted day in the English football calendar - no matter how much money is poured into the Premier League, or how top heavy the modern structure has become, this is as close as it gets to a level playing field.

The FA Cup third round is upon us, and this year the draw has thrown up some potential classics - a Merseyside derby, Brighton vs Crystal Palace, and of course, plenty of lower league versus top division clashes. 

Here, Sportsmail looks at all 17 of the ties pitting Premier League clubs against sides outside the top tier, and rates their shock potential... 

Arsenal won the FA Cup last season - but will they make it through round three this time?

Arsenal won the FA Cup last season - but will they make it through round three this time?

Manchester United vs Derby County

With Jose Mourinho feeling the pressure at Old Trafford, high-flying Derby would seem to have picked the perfect time to visit. However the United boss values the cups, is still smarting from one embarrassing exit - to Bristol City in the Carabao Cup - and the Red Devils rarely slip up against smaller clubs.


Shock rating: 2/5

With Jose Mourinho under pressure, Derby have picked the perfect time to visit Old Trafford

With Jose Mourinho under pressure, Derby have picked the perfect time to visit Old Trafford

Fleetwood Town vs Leicester City

Although a return to the Highbury Stadium for Jamie Vardy is up in the air due to injury, this remains a huge game for League One Fleetwood. Nevertheless, Leicester should triumph - Claude Puel took Southampton to Wembley last season, and the Foxes are safe from the relegation scrap.

Shock rating: 2/5

League One Fleetwood Town host Premier League Leicester City in Saturday's early kick-off

League One Fleetwood Town host Premier League Leicester City in Saturday's early kick-off

Bolton Wanderers vs Huddersfield Town

After a dreadful start to the season - they got two points from their first 11 games - Bolton are slowly recovering, and come into this on good form with three wins in their last four. Huddersfield face the unusual scenario of being the big boys here - and it all depends on how they deal with that pressure.

Shock rating: 3/5

After a dreadful start to the season Bolton are recovering, and face Huddersfield in good form

After a dreadful start to the season Bolton are recovering, and face Huddersfield in good form

Bournemouth vs Wigan Athletic

Although Premier League at home to League One doesn't scream upset, this puts together a Cherries side facing a relegation fight and the Latics, top of their table and with recent FA Cup pedigree. Eddie Howe picked a weaker side last year and they were beaten at Millwall. One to keep an eye on.

Shock rating: 3/5

League One leaders and recent FA Cup winners Wigan visit Bournemouth in a potential shock

League One leaders and recent FA Cup winners Wigan visit Bournemouth in a potential shock

Coventry City vs Stoke City

If any fans could sum up the phrase 'long-suffering', it would be Coventry supporters, but not only are they in the League Two promotion mix, they also have a prime shock opportunity against a Stoke side far more preoccupied with a relegation fight. The Ricoh Arena may even by half-full for this one. 

Shock rating: 4/5

Coventry host Stoke, who are in dreadful form and face a fight for Premier League survival

Coventry host Stoke, who are in dreadful form and face a fight for Premier League survival

Exeter City vs West Bromwich Albion

It is astonishing how quickly West Brom have gone from the model of mid-table consistency to 20 games without a win. Alan Pardew needs to stop the rot, and will eye the FA Cup - having guided Palace to the 2016 final - as a chance to do so. Paul Tisdale's Grecians will not roll over, however.

Shock rating: 2/5 

Alan Pardew has a good record in the FA Cup, twice reaching the final as a manager

Alan Pardew has a good record in the FA Cup, twice reaching the final as a manager

Fulham vs Southampton

As proved by their win over Ipswich in midweek - trailing 1-0 after an hour having spurned a hatfull of chances, only to then score four in seven minutes - Fulham often frustrate, but when they get it right they can be thrilling. Southampton under Mauricio Pellegrino are not thrilling - and as former manager Puel learned last season, a cup run is no guarantee of job security.

Shock rating: 3/5

Fulham, with teenage star Ryan Sessegnon, have the potential to thrill against Southampton

Fulham, with teenage star Ryan Sessegnon, have the potential to thrill against Southampton

Newcastle United vs Luton Town

Premier League host League Two - home banker? No way. Newcastle are a mess - unimpressive squad, uncertain future, unhappy manager and fans. Luton meanwhile are steaming towards promotion with 76 goals this season in all competitions - only Man City have more. The shock is on.

Shock rating: 4/5

Luton are in League Two, but their free-scoring form makes them a banana skin for Newcastle

Luton are in League Two, but their free-scoring form makes them a banana skin for Newcastle

Watford vs Bristol City

The Hornets may be suffering a dreadful slump, but they should see this one through. City are off the boil themselves - they have won one in four since shocking Man United and were stuffed 5-0 by Aston Villa on New Year's Day. Manager Lee Johnson - privately - will not fancy another distraction.

Shock rating: 1/5

Watford should see off Championship Bristol City, who have lost form since beating Man Utd

Watford should see off Championship Bristol City, who have lost form since beating Man Utd

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Swansea City

Would this be more of a shock if Wolves didn't win? Top of the Championship by 12 points, they will see this as a good marker for next season, against the top-flight's bottom club. Swansea have been revitalised a little under new manager Carlos Carvahal, but they are facing an early cup exit.

Shock rating: 5/5

Top of the Championship Wolves host bottom of the Premier League Swansea on Saturday

Top of the Championship Wolves host bottom of the Premier League Swansea on Saturday

Norwich City vs Chelsea

The Canaries' hope that they had appointed David Wagner Mk II when they named Daniel Farke as manager has so far proved wide of the mark, as they sit mid-table in the Championship. Carrow Road will be abuzz for an evening kick-off against the top-tier champions, but even a second-string Blues side will probably have too much.

Shock rating: 2/5

Norwich manager Daniel Farke is hoping to mastermind an upset against champions Chelsea

Norwich manager Daniel Farke is hoping to mastermind an upset against champions Chelsea

Shrewsbury Town vs West Ham United

Relegation favourites at the start of the season, Paul Hurst's Shrews are five points clear in the League One automatic promotion spots. David Moyes has added steel to his Hammers side, however, and will not fancy a repeat of the 2003 humiliation at Gay Meadow when his Everton side were embarrassed 2-1.

Shock rating: 3/5

David Moyes has already suffered one giant-killing by Shrewsbury in his managerial career

David Moyes has already suffered one giant-killing by Shrewsbury in his managerial career

Tottenham Hotspur vs AFC Wimbledon

The FA Cup goes to Wembley even earlier this year as Spurs host the League One strugglers. It's the first time the Wimbledon name will be displayed at Wembley in the FA Cup since their famous 1988 final triumph. This is likely to be less historic, however - even with just a three-day turnaround from the West Ham draw, Tottenham should be far too strong.

Shock rating: 1/5

AFC Wimbledon face an uphill task to beat Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Sunday

AFC Wimbledon face an uphill task to beat Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Sunday

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

Forest are managerless, having sacked Mark Warburton when their hoped for play-off push failed to materialise. Caretaker boss Gary Brazil may be handed the full-time gig if he can mastermind an upset against the holder. Arsene Wenger has never lost to lower-league opposition in the third round, however, and it is hard to see that happening here.

Shock rating: 2/5

Arsene Wenger's brilliant FA Cup record means Arsenal should see off Nottingham Forest

Arsene Wenger's brilliant FA Cup record means Arsenal should see off Nottingham Forest