Check out Ladbrokes' take on all 32 FA Cup third-round ties
Wins for Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool to kickstart their campaigns
Non-league Boreham Wood backed to get the better of EFL opponents
Ahead of the highly anticipated third round, Ladbrokes runs through all 32 FA Cup fixtures with predictions and live odds, as Premier League teams enter the fray.
From tournament favourites Manchester City kicking off their campaign against League One Exeter, to non-league Macclesfield hosting Crystal Palace and Spurs facing Villa in an all-Premier League tie, the stage is set for drama, upsets, and FA Cup magic.
2025/26 FA Cup fixtures & predictions: The third round
Friday, 9 January, 2026
MK Dons vs Oxford United - 19:30
With the hosts eyeing up promotion from League Two and the visitors looking destined for relegation from the Championship, this one could be tight - but we're backing Oxford to get over the line against lower-league opposition.
Our prediction: MK Dons 1-2 Oxford United
Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town - 19:30
Despite Port Vale being rock bottom of League One and firmly in the habit of losing, we're expecting them to have the upper hand at home to Fleetwood - a League Two side whose away form has been their major downfall.
Our prediction: Port Vale 1-0 Fleetwood Town
With Preston flying high in the Championship and Wigan struggling to escape the mid-table chaos of League One, a Preston win seems fairly straightforward on paper - especially with the game being held at Deepdale.
Our prediction: Preston North End 3-0 Wigan Athletic
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest - 19:30
The first Premier League team to enter the action is Nottingham Forest, and despite Sean Dyche's side struggling to assert themselves in the league this season, we're backing them to beat an in-form Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground.
Our Prediction: Wrexham 2-3 Nottingham Forest
Saturday, 10 January, 2026
With Cheltenham struggling for form in League Two and Leicester failing to meet their expectations in the Championship, this presents an excellent opportunity for someone to kickstart a run of form - and we're tipping the Foxes to progress.
Our prediction: Cheltenham Town 0-2 Leicester City
Everton vs Sunderland - 12:15
The first all-Premier League tie of the weekend sees Everton welcome Sunderland to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and despite the Black Cats' form taking a bit of a hit in recent weeks, we're backing the visitors to put their name in the hat for round four.
Our prediction: Everton 1-3 Sunderland
Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace - 12:15
In a match that shows what the FA Cup is all about, National League North side Macclesfield welcome Conference League side Crystal Palace to Moss Rose - but while an upset would make the headlines, we can't see the holders having too many issues here.
Our prediction: Macclesfield 0-4 Crystal Palace
Rock-bottom of the Premier League with just one win to their name, Wolves could use a cup run to spread some positivity around the club - and despite their lowly position, we expect them to get the better of League Two strugglers Shrewsbury Town with little fuss.
Our prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1 Shrewsbury Town
Boreham Wood vs Burton Albion - 15:00
Despite two divisions separating the sides here, National League title contenders Boreham Wood will be full of confidence against League One strugglers Burton - and we're predicting that the hosts will upset their EFL opponents.
Our prediction: Boreham Wood 2-1 Burton Albion
Burnley vs Millwall - 15:00
Premier League relegation candidates host Championship high-flyers at Turf Moor, and with the respective form of both teams, this one really could go either way - but we're tipping a hard-fought victory for Scott Parker's Clarets.
Our prediction: Burnley 2-1 Millwall
Doncaster Rovers vs Southampton - 15:00
Despite Southampton being stranded in the bottom half of the Championship table, they should be too strong for Doncaster at the Eco-Power Stadium, with the League One hosts looking destined for relegation out of the third tier.
Our prediction: Doncaster Rovers 0-2 Southampton
Fulham vs Middlesbrough - 15:00
An excellent tie awaits at Craven Cottage with European hopefuls Fulham welcoming promotion challengers Middlesbrough to London, but while the visitors will provide a stern challenge, we're backing the Premier League hosts to come out on top.
Our prediction: Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough
Ipswich Town vs Blackpool - 15:00
With automatic promotion the aim for Ipswich this season, the FA Cup may well take something of a back seat - but we're still expecting them to ease past League One's Blackpool at Portman Road.
Our prediction: Ipswich Town 2-0 Blackpool
Manchester City vs Exeter City - 15:00
The early favourites to win the FA Cup for an eighth time, Man City should dispatch of League One Exeter City with no problem whatsoever - even if Pep Guardiola does heavily rotate his lineup.
Our prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Exeter City
Newcastle United vs Bournemouth - 15:00
Two sides who should be setting their sights on winning the 2025/26 FA Cup go head-to-head at St. James' Park, and despite Newcastle failing to beat Bournemouth in any of their last six meetings, we're tipping the Magpies for victory.
Our prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Bournemouth
Salford City vs Swindon Town - 15:00
Salford City face Swindon Town in a battle between two League Two promotion contenders, and with home advantage on their side, we're backing Karl Robinson's Ammies to progress.
Our prediction: Salford City 2-1 Swindon Town
Sheffield Wednesday vs Brentford - 15:00
Championship basement boys Sheffield Wednesday welcome European hopefuls Brentford to Hillsborough in the FA Cup third round, and while they'll put up a fight, we can't see the Owls troubling Keith Andrews' Bees.
Our prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Brentford
Stoke City vs Coventry City - 15:00
Two teams with real aspirations of earning promotion to the Premier League go head-to-head at the bet365 Stadium, and despite a recent wobble in form, we're tipping Frank Lampard's Coventry to get the better of Stoke.
Our prediction: Stoke City 1-3 Coventry City
Bristol City vs Watford - 17:45
Another all-Championship tie awaits at Ashton Gate as Bristol City host Watford, and with the Hornets coming into this one in such irresistible form, we're backing Javi Gracia's side to progress to round four.
Our prediction: Bristol City 0-2 Watford
Despite not losing a game inside 90 minutes since October, League Two promotion hopefuls Cambridge come into their third-round tie against Birmingham as clear underdogs - and we're staying true to the odds, tipping the visitors for victory.
Our prediction: Cambridge United 1-3 Birmingham City
Despite this not being the glamorous tie they would've hoped for, non-league Weston Super Mare will travel to Grimsby full of optimism. However, with the Mariners already having beaten Man United at Blundell Park this season, we're predicting a home win for the EFL outfit.
Our prediction: Grimsby Town 2-0 Weston Super Mare
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa - 17:45
Despite Aston Villa reaching the semi-finals last season and looking good for Champions League qualification this term, we think Spurs could get the better of Unai Emery's side in this all-Premier League third-round clash.
Our prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Aston Villa
Charlton Athletic vs Chelsea - 20:00
Charlton conclude Saturday's third-round action with a home tie against Chelsea, and with the Addicks struggling for form near the bottom of the Championship, we're expecting the Blues to earn a comfortable victory in Liam Rosenior's first game as manager.
Our prediction: Charlton Athletic 1-4 Chelsea
Sunday, 11 January, 2026
Derby County vs Leeds United - 12:00
A recent rivalry renews at Pride Park as Derby County host Leeds United, and with Daniel Farke's side finding real form in the Premier League of late, we expect Leeds' top-flight quality to prove too strong for the Rams.
Our prediction: Derby County 1-3 Leeds United
Portsmouth vs Arsenal - 14:00
Front-runners to win both the Premier League and the Champions League this season, Arsenal are also among the favourites to win the 2025/26 FA Cup - and we expect the Gunners to cruise past an out-of-form Portsmouth at Fratton Park.
Our prediction: Portsmouth 0-4 Arsenal
Hull City vs Blackburn Rovers - 14:30
Despite Blackburn beating Hull 3-0 in their Championship encounter back in August, we're tipping the high-flying Tigers to win this one and extend Rovers' winless run to five games.
Our prediction: Hull City 2-0 Blackburn Rovers
Norwich City vs Walsall - 14:30
With a recent upturn in form giving them real hope of Championship survival, Norwich City will be confident of progression to the fourth round when they host League Two Walsall - and we are indeed predicting a home win.
Our prediction: Norwich City 2-1 Walsall
Despite Mansfield coming to Bramall Lane in excellent form with three victories on the bounce, we expect Sheffield United to have too much quality for their League One opponents, with the Blades also winning three of their last four.
Our prediction: Sheffield United 3-1 Mansfield Town
Two teams enduring painful Championship seasons face off in Wales as Swansea host West Brom, and with home sides usually coming out on top in this fixture, we're backing the Swans to reach round four.
Our prediction: Swansea 2-1 West Bromwich Albion
After defeat to Nottingham Forest left them odds-on for Premier League relegation, West Ham have a point to prove at home to London rivals QPR - and we expect Nuno Espirito Santo's side to put things right here.
Our prediction: West Ham 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
Sunday's showpiece comes from Old Trafford as Man United host Brighton, and although the Seagulls have a strong record against their hosts, we're backing Darren Fletcher's United to win their third-round tie for a 12th consecutive season.
Our prediction: Manchester United 3-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Monday, 12 January, 2026
Liverpool vs Barnsley - 19:45
The final match from the 2025/26 FA Cup third round comes from Anfield as Liverpool host an out-of-form Barnsley, and despite the Tykes upsetting the odds to win this exact fixture in 2008, the Premier League champions will have far too much strength for their EFL visitors.
Our prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Barnsley
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.
