Huddersfield, Fulham will be very eager to avoid Cup upset
The third round stage of the FA Cup in England is traditionally the time when some of the lower-league clubs can cause a shock.
Shocks and drama are therefore likely to be on the cards this weekend as the big guns enter the FA Cup at the third round stage.
The English Premier League will definitely take a back seat as some of the lower division clubs get their chance for glory.
Bottom side Huddersfield might be relieved at getting away from the battle for survival in the English Premier League, but David Wagner’s team face a testing trip to Bristol City.
The Championship side are unbeaten in eight matches and are likely to give Huddersfield a tough battle.
Huddersfield’s 2-1 home defeat by Burnley in midweek was their eighth straight loss, a club record, but manager Wagner insists they will try to change things, quickly.
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“It’s eight defeats in a row, six by one goal losses. This is the truth, but we have our own schedule in our head and we know what we need to do,” Wagner said.
“We look forward to the next game. As long as everybody gives everything, they deserve the support. If the support isn’t there, we don’t have a chance, and if it is, we have a chance. We believe.”
When the draw for the third round was made, Reading probably thought they had a good chance of a shock.
That was after they were pulled out of the hat alongside a struggling Manchester United side.
But a change of manager at Old Trafford has done the trick and Manchester United have won four straight matches under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
They will therefore be full of confidence when they welcome Reading.
“You’d be happy with four wins from four — we haven’t conceded from open play yet either,” the Norwegian said after a 2-0 win at Newcastle United, equalling a record matched only by Sir Matt Busby, a club great.
“It will be in the books, but it’s nothing I’m thinking about,” he said.
“I’m thinking about the next game. If we win four, we can win another four. It’s about meeting challenges and when we’ve won four, we can go on to the next four and think about them.”
Fulham, second-bottom in the English Premier League, have home advantage against Oldham Athletic, who sit mid-table in League Two.
On paper, the visitors would appear to have little chance of causing an upset but Oldham defender Tom Hamer believes his side have a chance on recent form.
“To win these two games leading up to the Fulham game is a good sign, because we’ll be full of confidence going into that game,” he said.
“We have to play at our best and hopefully we can win because it’s a winnable game.
“We don’t want to get too (much) ahead of ourselves, because it’s going to be tough. But I reckon if we play like we’ve been playing, we’ve got a good chance.”
Favourites Manchester City host Rotherham while Tottenham travel to Tranmere and Liverpool are away to Wolves.
Arsenal make the trip to Blackpool while Chelsea host Nottingham Forest.
New Sheffield Wednesday manager Steve Bruce will watch his new side from the stands as they host Luton Town, with his role due to begin on Feb. 1.
Bournemouth take on Brighton in the other all-English Premier League match, while the only non-league sides through to the third round are Woking and Barnet.
Woking face English Premier League opposition in Watford, a side confident they can avoid an upset.
“I’m looking forward to a big weekend,” Watford striker Troy Deeney said in midweek.
“They’ll be up for it. It’s on TV and it’s a chance for those guys to put themselves in the shop window.
“Everyone knows that with the FA Cup there’s always a (shock) result. We just don’t want to be that result.’