Preview
Written by Yaro Pavlenko
The world's oldest cup competition returns with third round action this weekend.
With a host of tasty-looking fixtures, will there be any notable fairytales or giant-killing, as this competition has become so known for?
Spreadex Sports answers some of most asked questions about the 2025/26 FA Cup and previews the upcoming action along with the latest fixed odds and spread betting prices* for football betting punters.
*Odds and Spread Betting Prices subject to change
The 2025/26 Final will be contested at Wembley Stadium in London on the 16th of May 2026. The competition winners will not only lift silverware but also earn a place in the 2026/27 Europa League, unless they already secure European qualification through their league position.
FA Cup fixtures will be broadcast in the UK across TNT Sports channels (with streaming on Discovery+) and will see two fixtures on BBC 1.
fa cup 3rd round draw and fixtures
Below is the full list of 3rd Round fixtures, along with kick-off times (GMT) and relevant TV channel where the match will be broadcast.
FRIDAY 9 JANUARY 2026
19:30: Milton Keynes Dons v. Oxford United on discovery+19:30: Port Vale v. Fleetwood Town on discovery+19:30: Preston North End v. Wigan Athletic on discovery+19:30: Wrexham v. Nottingham Forest on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
SATURDAY 10 JANUARY 2026
12:15: Cheltenham Town v. Leicester City on discovery+12:15: Everton v. Sunderland on discovery+12:15: Macclesfield v. Crystal Palace on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 and discovery+12:15: Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Shrewsbury Town on discovery+15:00: Boreham Wood v. Burton Albion 15:00: Burnley v. Millwall 15:00: Doncaster Rovers v. Southampton 15:00: Fulham v. Middlesbrough 15:00: Ipswich Town v. Blackpool 15:00: Manchester City v. Exeter City 15:00: Newcastle United v. AFC Bournemouth 15:00: Salford City v. Swindon Town 15:00: Sheffield Wednesday v. Brentford 15:00: Stoke City v. Coventry City17:45: Bristol City v. Watford on discovery+ 17:45: Cambridge United v. Birmingham City on discovery+ 17:45: Tottenham Hotspur v. Aston Villa on BBC One, iPlayer, TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ 17:45: Grimsby Town v. Weston Super Mare on discovery+20:00: Charlton Athletic v. Chelsea on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
SUNDAY 11 JANUARY 2026
12:00: Derby County v. Leeds United on TNT Sports 2 and discovery+14:00: Portsmouth v. Arsenal on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+14:30: Hull City v. Blackburn Rovers on discovery+14:30: Norwich City v. Walsall on discovery+14:30: Sheffield United v. Mansfield Town on discovery+14:30: Swansea City v. West Bromwich Albion on discovery+14:30: West Ham United v. Queens Park Rangers on discovery+16:30: Manchester United v. Brighton & Hove Albion on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
MONDAY 12 JANUARY 2026
19:45: Liverpool v. Barnsley on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+
All of the 3rd Round fixtures will be taking place between Friday, 9th January 2026 and Monday, 12th January 2026.
A total of 64 teams remain in the competition. Of these, at least three Premier League big names will exit at this stage as the 3rd Round sees the likes of Man Utd v Brighton and Tottenham v Aston Villa. Another all-Premier League tie sees Newcastle take on Bournemouth.
The current record holders for most FA Cup wins are Premier League leaders and favourites Arsenal, with a total of 14 triumphs in this competition. The Gunners' last triumph came in the 2019/20 season, but they are second-favourites behind Man City on our FA Cup Outright Winner market.
WHO IS THE LOWEST RANKED TEAM LEFT IN THE FA CUP?
The FA Cup is known for relative minnows making a name for themselves, but who are the biggest (or rather smallest) underdogs still remaining in the 3rd Round?
In terms of their league positioning (in the English football pyramid), Macclesfield (National League North - Step 6), Weston Super-Mare (National League South - Step 6) and Boreham Wood (National League - Step 5) are the three lowest-ranked teams still remaining.
Macclesfield take on Premier League side Crystal Palace at home in what could prove to be a massive shock, while Weston Super-Mare face a trip to Grimsby Town, who famously defeated Man Utd in the League Cup this season, and Boreham Wood take on Burton at home.
Spreadex Sports will be offering a multitude of both fixed odds and spread betting markets on the FA Cup 2025/26 available for football punters, with individual match fixtures, outright betting and group betting.
You can view all of our available odds and markets by clicking the link below:
Click here to view all of the available Odds and Prices for the 2025/26 FA Cup.
Click here to view our guide on How to Spread Bet on Football, including our handy Spread Betting Calculator.
Remember that with spread betting, get the bet wrong and losses can exceed your stake/deposit so it's important you understand how each market works before setting an appropriate stake size for your bet.
Please note that this preview is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. Any/all prices quoted correct as of 8th January 2026.
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