All you need to know about the FA Cup third round

Cian Cheesbrough

LiveScore

Premier League and Championship teams will start their bid to lift the FA Cup this weekend

The eagerly-awaited FA Cup third round kicks off tonight when League Two outfit Swindon host six-time winners Manchester City.

With 32 clashes taking place across four days and teams as low as the sixth tier still in the competition, there are plenty of potential giant-killings on the cards.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the FA Cup third-round weekend.

Which non-league teams are left in the competition?

Four non-league teams have made it through to the third round.

National League sChesterfield were handed by far the most-high profile opponents of all the non-league sides as they travel to Stamford Bridge to face European champions Chelsea on Saturday.

The lowest-placed side remaining are Kidderminster Harriers, who currently sit fifth in the National League North — the sixth tier of English football.

Their reward for an excellent FA Cup campaign, which started in the second qualifying round on September 18, is a home clash against Championship outfit Reading on Saturday.

Yeovil are also up against second-tier opposition as they welcome Championship leaders Bournemouth to Huish Park.

Saturday will also see Boreham Wood attempt to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time as the National League's fourth-placed side host League One club AFC Wimbledon.

Manchester City will be without Pep Guardiola and a host of first-team stars when they face League Two Swindon

Where could the other FA Cup shocks be?

League Two Swindon’s clash with coronavirus-stricken Premier League champions City is one to watch but there are plenty of other teams who will want to avoid being one of the weekend's shock results.

The Citizens travel to the County Ground without manager Pep Guardiola or assistant Juanma Lillo, while seven first-team stars and 12 other backroom staff members are also isolating.

Elsewhere, Shrewsbury of League One will once again visit Liverpool after forcing the Premier League giants to a replay during the fourth round of the Cup in 2019-20.

Tottenham will hope for no issues when bottom-half League One side Morecambe visit North London on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Port Vale — sixth in League Two — are up against another Premier League team in Brentford.

After sealing the first big-name signing of their new era under Saudi ownership in Kieran Trippier, Newcastle will want to avoid a shock elimination when they entertain League One side Cambridge United.

Elsewhere, League Two clubs Barrow, Bristol Rovers, Harrogate, Mansfield and Leyton Orient all face Championship opposition in Barnsley, Peterborough, Luton, Middlesbrough and Stoke respectively.

Antonio Conte and Harry Kane will want to avoid a shock defeat when Tottenham host Morecambe

Which FA Cup third round games are live on TV?

Swindon vs City is the first game you can catch live tonight, with the 8pm kick-off live on ITV1.

You can then enjoy a jam-packed schedule of FA Cup clashes on Saturday, with Millwall’s London derby against Crystal Palace kicking off the day's proceedings at 12.45pm, also on ITV1.

After a host of 3pm kick-offs, there are three games available to watch on the BBC at 5.30pm on Saturday and one more at 5.45pm.

Championship Hull's meeting with Everton is the headline showing in England, while Swansea vs Southampton is live on BBC One Wales.

Chelsea against Chesterfield is available to watch via the red button at 5.30pm, while Yeovil's clash with Bournemouth is being streamed on BBC iPlayer 15 minutes later.

Sunday will see West Ham meet fellow Premier League outfit Leeds on ITV1 at 2pm before Nottingham Forest look to spring a surprise when Arsenal visit on the same channel at 5.10pm.

Preston's visit to Cardiff will be shown on Welsh language broadcaster S4C at 2pm.

And an all-Premier League encounter rounds off the action on Monday night, with Manchester United’s home clash against Aston Villa live on BBC One at 7.55pm.

When is the fourth-round draw?

The draw will take place on Sunday following ITV’s coverage of the game between West Ham and Leeds.

It will be conducted by David James, who won the competition in 2008 with Portsmouth, and Leah Williamson, a two-time Women’s FA Cup winner with Arsenal.