FA Cup Third Round and the Favourites

The FA Cup Third Round weekend is one of the most exciting dates on the calendar. This is where the competition truly kicks into life for the big clubs, with all 20 Premier League teams and 24 Championship sides joining the fun. It’s a time when dreams can be made, upsets can happen and everyone’s attention turns to silverware and history.

It also gives fans a real mid-season boost, as the football focus shifts from league battles to the unique cup drama that defines this famous competition. For many fans like you, this is when football conversation really starts buzzing again after the festive fixtures. Not only are there big names to watch, but there are also plenty of ties that remind you why the FA Cup is such a beloved competition right across the country.

When the Third Round takes place

The 2025/26 FA Cup Third Round takes place over a four-day window from Friday, 9th of January to Monday, 12th of January 2026. Teams from all levels of the football pyramid will be in action.

Whether you’re planning a weekend of live TV viewing or heading to a stadium near you, this round is packed with matches. There are so many fixtures that broadcasters and partners like Discovery+ and TNT Sports have selected a wide range to show live, including classic clashes and high-profile Premier League derbies.

What the draw looked like

The draw for this stage was made on the 8th of December 2025, live on television and streamed online. It produced 32 ties featuring a mix of clubs from the Premier League, Championship, League One, League Two and even the National League North.

Some of the most talked-about matchups include:

• Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
• Manchester City vs Exeter City
• Arsenal vs Portsmouth
• Crystal Palace vs Macclesfield
• Everton vs Sunderland

With the draw confirming just how unpredictable this round can be, you’ll find plenty to talk about whether you’re discussing the results with friends or following every twist online.

What William Hill says

When you look at betting markets, bookmakers like William Hill offer a number of betting options for every FA Cup tie, including the Third Round. These range from simple match-winner bets to more detailed markets like goal totals and correct scores.

You might wonder who the favourites are to go all the way in this competition. According to William Hill’s current FA Cup outright winner odds, some of the leading prices look like this (correct as of late December 2025): Manchester City 9/2, Liverpool 11/2, Arsenal 13/2 and Chelsea 17/2. These prices give you a good idea of which teams the market sees as strongest to lift the trophy.

Odds can shift throughout January, especially once line-ups, weather conditions or potential injuries are confirmed, so it’s always worth checking again closer to kick-off to get the latest prices.

And while you’re checking odds, you might also read about the William Hill Sign up Offer on Oddspedia. This is a handy site that shows live odds and offers from a wide range of bookmakers, including William Hill, so you can compare markets before placing a bet. It also lists fixtures, results and market movements for all FA Cup matches, which makes it easier to spot value or follow trends.

That means you can judge for yourself whether a favourite on paper looks worth backing on the day. Odds comparison sites like Oddspedia are great tools because they save you time and show where the best prices are across different platforms.

Why this round matters

The Third Round is where the FA Cup’s magic truly begins. It’s the round that gives smaller clubs a chance to shine against elite competition. It’s where Premier League Clubs make their first Cup appearances of the season. And it’s when dramatic, memorable moments often occur.

Remember, this is a knockout tournament. There are no second chances once the whistle blows. The excitement of a lower-league side holding its own against big opponents is part of what the Cup is all about. The crowd noise, the tension, the shock results, all of it adds up to a weekend of real spectacle.

As the Third Round kicks off

As the Third Round approaches, keep an eye on team news, injuries and weather conditions. All of these factors can influence how matches play out. Whether you’re just watching for fun or thinking about a small wager, the most enjoyable way to approach this round is to embrace the unpredictability.

The FA Cup is more than just another competition. It’s a celebration of football from top to bottom, a chance for lesser-known clubs to share the stage with giants, and for fans like you to enjoy every twist and turn.

So make yourself comfortable, check your fixture lists and explore the markets if you like, and enjoy one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends of the football season.