FA Cup Third Round Draw Complete as Man Utd, Liverpool & Arsenal Learn Opponents

Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal are among the Premier League teams who learned their FA Cup third-round opponents following Monday’s (December 8) draw.

Former Premier League stars Joe Cole and Peter Crouch pulled the 65 balls out of a hat on TNT Sports ahead of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the second round.

All 20 Premier League teams and 24 Championship sides were included in the draw for the first time this season.

The 32 third-round fixtures will be played between January 9 and 12, with sixth-tier side Macclesfield Town, managed by Wayne Rooney’s brother John, set to take part, having beaten Slough 3-1 after extra time in the second round of the competition.

Weston-super-Mare and Boreham Wood will also fly the flag for non-league clubs, with at least three teams from below League Two guaranteed to take part.

Brackley Town could also secure their space if they beat Burton Albion following tonight's draw.

Meanwhile, the 2024/25 winners, Crystal Palace, will be hoping to retain their crown under the tutelage of Oliver Glasner this term.

Fans will also have to get used to a few changes to the competition. There will be no replays if matches end in a draw. Extra time and penalties will be used to determine a winner if needed.

Crystal Palace won the 2024/25 FA Cup (Credit:Getty)

So, whether you follow sixth-tier Macclesfield, who are no doubt looking forward to testing themselves against English football's elite, or a fan of a so-called bigger club who may be looking to win the competition, finally, you can make plans ahead of the third round as the draw is now confirmed.

High-profile ties include all-Premier League clashes between Spurs and Aston Villa and Everton and Sunderland, while Championship Wrexham host Nottingham Forest. Manchester City will welcome League One Exeter City. Chelsea travel to London rivals Charlton Athletic. Arne Slot's Liverpool will face Barnsley at Anfield. 14-time winners Arsenal will travel to Fratton Park, where they will face 2008 champions Portsmouth. Manchester United will face Brighton & Hove Albion in another all-Premier League tie at Old Trafford.

Full FA Cup third round draw

Boreham Wood vs Brackley Town or Burton Albion

Bristol City vs Watford

Burnley vs Millwall

Cambridge vs Birmingham

Charlton vs Chelsea

Cheltenham vs Leicester

Derby vs Leeds

Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton

Everton vs Sunderland

Fulham vs Middlesbrough

Grimsby vs Weston-super-Mare

Hull City vs Blackburn

Ipswich vs Blackpool

Liverpool vs Barnsley

Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace

Man City vs Exeter City

Man Utd vs Brighton

MK Dons vs Oxford United

Newcastle vs Bournemouth

Norwich vs Walsall

Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town

Portsmouth vs Arsenal

Preston vs Wigan

Salford City vs Swindon

Sheff Utd vs Mansfield

Sheff Wed vs Brentford

Stoke City vs Coventry

Swansea vs West Brom

Tottenham vs Aston Villa

West Ham vs QPR

Wolves vs Shrewsbury Town

Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest