It is that time of the year again; FA Cup third round weekend, one of the most eagerly-anticipated dates in the British sporting calendar.
It is an untouchable magic which never fails to breathe passion and romance into the oldest and most famous knockout competition in the world.
The list of upsets throughout the competition’s history is endless – and more could be on the cards this weekend.
This season’s FA Cup has special resonance in that it is the competition’s 150th anniversary.
Here, Freebets.com takes a look at potential banana skins facing several teams in the third round.
Burnley v Huddersfield Town
Premier League survival is Burnley’s overriding priority this season.
After Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at Leeds, though, their survival chances must be slipping. The Clarets were awful.
Sean Dyche’s squad has been affected by Covid recently and he will surely rest several key men for the Huddersfield clash.
League matters are also a priority for the Terriers as they bid to maintain their surprise play-off challenge in the Championship.
Carlos Corberan’s men are dripping with confidence right now – they drew at high-flying Blackburn Rovers on Sunday – and will fancy their chances of dumping out Dyche’s men at Turf Moor.
You can get 5/1 with Bet365 on the Terriers progressing to the fourth round. Odds not to be sniffed at.
Barnsley v Barrow
This time last year, Barnsley’s promotion bandwagon was firmly up and running.
The Tykes charged towards the play-offs under Valerien Ismael, encouraging hopes of a return to the promised land of the Premier League.
But after they lost to Swansea in the semi-finals, Ismael jumped ship for West Brom and not much has gone right since.
They look increasingly likely to be relegated, so are certainly ripe for an upset this weekend.
Barrow are faltering at the wrong end of League Two but the hosts are vulnerable.
You can get odds of 14/1 for the Cumbrians to win 1-0 and 40/1 to clinch a 2-0 success, both with Betfair.
Millwall v Crystal Palace
A South London derby in the FA Cup third round is always guaranteed to stir the blood.
Millwall have recent history in dumping out Premier League opposition on home soil.
They turfed out Everton in a 3-2 win three years ago.
The Lions are a respected force in the Championship under Gary Rowett and, despite recent inconsistency, will fancy their chances of dumping out the Eagles.
You can get 23/10 with Paddy Power for a Millwall victory.
Kidderminster Harriers v Reading
Kiddy have a rich history of giantkilling in the FA Cup and their home clash with Reading is one to keep an eye on.
The Harriers are riding high in the National League North and will relish the visit of the Royals.
The Berkshire outfit are wobbling alarmingly and struggling for confidence as they bid to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Despite their woes, Reading should have just enough quality to avoid a humiliating upset.
Back them to progress to the fourth round at 8/13 with William Hill.
Hull City v Everton
Rafael Benitez signed a three-year deal with Everton last summer after Carlo Ancelotti jumped ship from Goodison Park to return to Real Madrid.
The appointment prompted a bitter, and at times sinister, reaction from angry Evertonians who cannot forgive nor forget Benitez’s links to Liverpool.
His future as Toffees boss was cast in doubt on Sunday when Everton slumped to a disastrous 3-2 home defeat to Brighton.
Championship strugglers Hull City will look to impose more misery on Benitez and his troops, so back the Tigers to progress at 14/5 with Bet Victor.
