Arsenal start FA Cup defence against struggling Sunderland

The Mega FA Cup Third Round Preview. Holders Arsenal kick-start their defence of the trophy when they host Sunderland, who are battling relegation in the Premier League. Steve Evans and Neil Redfearn meet their old club when Leeds play Rotherham, as does Dean Smith when his Brentford side welcome Walsall. Northampton face MK Dons in a local derby while Dagenham & Redbridge try to match Everton, 78 places above them, at Goodison Park.

Arsenal v Sunderland
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has often been criticised for making sweeping changes to his team for games in the early rounds. With Sunderland’s Premier League status under threat, he may do the same in North London. Arsenal could rotate too, but they boast laudable depth, evidenced by the recent rise of Joel Campbell. With a win, the Gunners will be a step closer to becoming the first team to win three FA Cups in a row - in a long while.

Norwich v Man City
In 1969, Manchester City became one of just four teams to win the FA Cup with a team made up of English born players. By contrast, their current squad possesses more Frenchmen who have started a game this season (4) than Englishmen (3). Norwich were the last top flight club to lose to non-league opposition in this competition, the Canaries defeated by Luton in 2013. Another early exit seems likely for them here, albeit in less dramatic circumstances.

Southampton v Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace have failed to score in their last three games and injuries are starting to take their toll. The Eagles have struggled significantly without the likes of Yannick Bolasie and Yohan Cabaye. The latter gives Alan Pardew’s side composure and quality on the ball, which they have missed in the Frenchman’s absence. Southampton netted four against Arsenal on Boxing Day, in a superb counter-attacking display with Shane Long the star of the show. Otherwise, however, the Saints have looked goal-shy themselves of late, drawing a blank in three of their last five. Both teams will be disciplined at St Mary’s – a narrow home victory for the 2003 finalists.

Man Utd v Sheff Utd
The last FA Cup final before the First World War saw Sheffield United win 3-0 at Old Trafford… against Chelsea. Their 1915 victory was known as The Khaki Cup Final, with uniformed soldiers in attendance, and the Blades will need to show battling qualities against Manchester United to cause an upset. The hosts have not won this competition at the New Wembley and Louis Van Gaal will see FA Cup glory as the chance to restore salvation in his side’s stuttering campaign.

Chelsea v Scunthorpe
The main story here is that of a resurging Dutchman… Kevin Van Veen’s impact since coming back into the Scunthorpe side has been positive. In other news, Gus Hiddink’s Chelsea impressed in Sunday’s 3-0 win at Crystal Palace, with Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa looking back to their best. Hiddink won this competition in his previous spell at Chelsea and will see Wembley glory as a realistic aim. League One Iron’s greatest FA Cup moment came in a shock 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday in 1970, but that would change with a victory at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Tottenham v Leicester
This will be the first of two meetings between Tottenham and Leicester in the space of three days, as the Foxes return to White Hart Lane on Wednesday night. The visiting East Midlanders won this FA Cup fixture last season, en route to the great escape. Tottenham already have a congested schedule, and if manager Mauricio Pochettino rotated when his side played North London rivals Arsenal in the League Cup, he is likely to do the same here. Claudio Ranieri’s troops will prove that they can cope without Jamie Vardy and record an away win.

Watford v Newcastle
Newcastle’s Billy Hampson became the oldest FA Cup Finalist in 1924, when he helped the Magpies to victory at 41 years of age. By contrast, the current Newcastle squad is the second youngest in the Premier League, with an average age of 25. The shortage of steel and experience is costing the Magpies in the battle to beat the drop, and Steve Claren’s side could do with a player like Watford’s Ben Watson. The former Wigan midfielder scored the winner in the 2013 FA Cup final.