Football fans will be eyeing the FA Cup fourth round draw with a mixture of anticipation and excitement.

And if Monday night's tie-pulling offers up anything like the two mega matches pulled in the afternoon dress rehearsals, then fans everywhere are in for a real treat.

In the first of two checks ahead of Monday night's official draw - being presided over by Rio Ferdinand and Dennis Wise - ex-Manchester United defender Ferdinand helped pair his former club with their long-time north west rivals Liverpool.

Between them, the two sides have won the competition 19 times, with United claiming 12 triumphs - their last in 2016 - and Liverpool having been successful on seven occasions - the last in 2006.

Both sides have also finished as runners-up on seven occasions also.

Rio Ferdinand throws up a huge draw (
Image:
Rio Ferdinand/Twitter)

The duo were kept apart in a second dress rehearsal however.

This time the Reds were sent to Sheffield United, while United were once more drawn at home against Premier League opposition, this time being handed a meeting with Newcastle.

But there was still a joker in the pack, with two members of the ‘big six’ paired together again.

This time it involved Chelsea, presuming they get past Norwich, who were handed a trip across London to Wembley, to face Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham, in a repeat of last season’s semi-final.

The Blues won that match 4-2 and also defeated Spurs earlier this season in the Premier League, Marcos Alonso scoring twice.

Marcos Alonso scored twice at Wembley earlier this season (
Image:
AFP)

Nottingham Forest, who vanquished Arsenal on Sunday, were handed an even tougher clash in that practice, being given Manchester City at the City Ground.

Will tonight's draw be equally as eventful? Will the Premier League's big guns be kept apart?

And which lower league side will get its shot at a giant killing?

Find out by following tonight's draw in full, at the below link: