All you need to know about the FA Cup third round

The eagerly-awaited FA Cup third round kicks off tonight when League Two outfit Swindon Town 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 of the competition — the reward being a potential tie with Premier League or Championship opposition who enter at this stage.

National League side Chesterfield were handed by the most-high profile opponent 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 Saturday home clash against Championship outfit Reading.

Yeovil Town are also up against second-tier opposition as they welcome 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.

Where could the other FA Cup shocks be?

League Two Swindon’s Friday night 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 with without manager Pep Guardiola or assistant Juanma Lillo, while seven first-team stars and 12 other backroom staff members are also isolating and therefore absent.

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

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 Town, Mansfield and Leyton Orient all face Championship opposition in Barnsley, Peterborough, Luton, Middlesbrough and Stoke respectively.

Which FA Cup third round games are live on TV?

Swindon versus 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 Milwall’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 City’s meeting with Everton is the headline showing in England, while Swansea versus 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 then rounds off the weekend’s action on Monday night, with Manchester United’s home clash against Aston Villa live on BBC One kicking off 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.

Full FA Cup third round draw

Barnsley vs Barrow 

Birmingham vs Plymouth 

Boreham Wood vs AFC Wimbledon

Bristol City vs Fulham

Burnley vs Huddersfield

Cardiff vs Preston

Charlton vs Norwich 

Chelsea vs Chesterfield

Coventry vs Derby 

Hartlepool United vs Blackpool

Hull vs Everton

Kidderminster Harriers vs Reading

Leicester vs Watford 

Liverpool vs Shrewsbury

Luton vs Harrogate

Manchester United vs Aston Villa 

Mansfield vs Middlesbrough 

Millwall vs Crystal Palace

Newcastle vs Cambridge 

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

Peterborough vs Bristol Rovers

Port Vale vs Brentford 

QPR vs Rotherham 

Stoke vs Leyton Orient 

Swansea vs Southampton 

Swindon vs Manchester City

Tottenham vs Morecambe

West Brom vs Brighton 

West Ham vs Leeds

Wigan vs Blackburn

Wolves vs Sheffield United 

Yeovil vs Bournemouth