As is customary in early January, the Premier League will pause this weekend for the third round of the FA Cup.
Arsenal vs Manchester United is the standout fixture, while several sides lower down the food chain will be aiming to cause an upset.
A £10 wager on our three-leg acca would pay out £40.96, while the same stake on our five-leg version offers a potential return of £131.90.
Arsenal vs Manchester United: Arsenal to win (8/15)
This is not exactly breaking news, Manchester United will not win the Premier League title this season. A top-four finish looks unlikely for Ruben Amorim’s team too. In that light, the FA Cup takes on additional importance.
It is fair to say that both teams would have hoped for a kinder draw for the third round, but this tie looks tougher for United than it is for Arsenal.
Granted, the Gunners have had to deal with a fair few injuries of late and they have had less preparation time for this game. But with the home crowd behind them, it is hard to see Mikel Arteta’s team coming unstuck despite United’s improved showing against Liverpool.
The one uncertainty is the degree to which both managers will rotate. Yet even if Arteta does opt to rest one or two regular starters, that is not necessarily a strong enough reason to withdraw support for Arsenal against opponents who are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League.
Tip Arsenal to win at 8/15 with bet365
Chelsea vs Morecambe: Chelsea to win both halves (4/7)
Chelsea fans have not had much to cheer about over the festive period. A four-game winless streak in the Premier League has put paid to their title chances.
Enzo Maresca’s side are still in the mix for a top-four finish, while Chelsea are strong favourites to win the Conference League.
Maresca has used that competition to give game time to some of the fringe members of his squad, and we should see many of those names against Morecambe too.
Even if Chelsea name a second-string side for Saturday’s encounter, they will have far too much quality for their League Two opponents.
Morecambe are battling to survive in the Football League and have bigger fish to fry than the FA Cup. Chelsea should be pretty comfortable in this one.
Go for Chelsea to win both halves at 4/7 with bet365
Southampton vs Swansea City: Both teams to score (7/10)
This is turning into a dismal season for Southampton. A 5-0 defeat by Brentford last weekend left them rooted to the foot of the table with just six points to their name.
At their current rate the Saints are on course to end the campaign with 11 points. That would make them the joint-worst team in Premier League history alongside the Derby County side of 2007/08.
Ivan Juric has not yet been able to instigate an upturn after replacing the hapless Russell Martin in the St Mary’s Stadium dugout.
Given they will almost certainly be relegated, Southampton might as well give the FA Cup a good go. It is not possible to turn form on and off like a tap, however, and confidence in the camp must be extremely low given Southampton’s struggles since promotion.
Swansea City should have some joy up against a defence which has shipped more than two goals per game on average in 2024/25. Goals at both ends looks like an inevitability.
Choose both teams to score at 7/10 with bet365
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Norwich City vs Brighton & Hove Albion: Brighton to win (8/15)
Brighton & Hove Albion have not won any of their last eight Premier League games, but there were plenty of positives to take from last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
After their opponents dominated the first half, Brighton were much the better team after the break. Fabian Hurzeler will hope that proves to be a turning point.
The Seagulls have better strength in depth than many of their fellow mid-table top-flight teams, so rotation this weekend would not necessarily hurt them too much.
As for Norwich City, they would be happy to write off the FA Cup if it meant finishing in the Championship play-offs.
That does not mean the Canaries will not be going for the win this weekend, but a defeat here would not be a disaster.
Select a Brighton & Hove Albion win at 8/15 with bet365
Bournemouth vs West Bromwich Albion: Under 2.5 goals (11/10)
Bournemouth are enjoying a magnificent season. Given they are currently seventh in the Premier League, it is only right to describe Andoni Iraola’s team as genuine contenders to win the FA Cup.
Having said that, this is not necessarily an easy third-round tie. West Bromwich Albion may have recently lost manager Carlos Corberan to Valencia, but they remain tough to beat.
Indeed, the Baggies have been defeated in just two of their last 18 games in the Championship. This is a team that does not lose very often.
Bournemouth are deservedly favourites for this weekend’s clash, but if Iraola shuffles his pack, West Brom have a chance.
The Championship side are difficult to break down, so goals could be at a premium on the south coast.
Finish things off with under 2.5 goals at 11/10 with bet365
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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