Goodbye Premier League, hello FA Cup third round, at least for the weekend. As the Premier League once again gives way to the world’s oldest knockout competition, football fans somehow find a way to again be treated by a few marquee match ups, albeit ones coming quite early in the competition. As unpredictable as it is dramatic, the FA Cup continues to produce memorable matches year after year - the idea that with practice and repetition, quality is produced. After all, the tournament’s inaugural winner, ‘Wanderers’, first lifted the trophy in 1872.
FA Cup Third Round Proper: Manchester United Vs. Liverpool, Arsenal Vs. Leeds United Highlight Weekend Fixtures
Fast forwarding some 139 years, Chelsea are the holders and Manchester United have lifted the trophy the most, 11 times. And while the ‘giant killers’ are currently sharpening their blades to claim a Premier League scalp, it’ll be two of English football’s biggest and most successful that will dominate most of the pre-weekend hype as Saturday approaches.
But first, Leeds United, slayers of Manchester United last year, will travel to the Emirates in North London for a 7:45 AM Eastern start before 23 clubs kickoff at 3:00 PM England time. Arsene Wenger will likely shift his squad somewhat as the Gunners were unable to unlock a tight Manchester City defense on Wednesday at home. The 0-0 kept Arsenal in third while fans bemoaned City’s rigid defending.
Currently fifth in the Championship, Leeds United would love a good Cup run to complimenttheir league form this season, yet it's unlikely Simon Grayson will risk his strongest eleven with promotion to the Premier League in reach. Further proof of the form that's witnessed Leeds reach a playoff spot: the Peacocks have lost only once in their last 13 matches.
The third rounds tastiest fixture of course features Manchester United at home to Liverpool on Sunday. The match will be covered live here at SB Nation Soccer as it pits the participants of the 1995-96 Final and the two most successful English clubs against each other once again. United have enjoyed more success than Liverpool in the league as of late yet it was Liverpool who won 1-0 at Anfield the last time these two sides met in the Cup - 2006’s encounter that was largely remembered for the match in which then United player Alan Smith suffered a horrific leg break. Liverpool went on the lift the Cup that year against a difficult West Ham side but they’ve yet to claim a major piece of silverware since that triumph.
While Liverpool’s 2006 exploits were fruitful, a further stroll down memory lane takes us to the white Armani suits of 1996, the last Liverpool appearance of Ian Rush, and a commanding midfield performance from Roy Keane. Keane was joined by United teammate Nicky Butt who were among the throng who man marked Liverpool’s Steve McManaman while Macca’s teammates Jamie Redknapp and John Barnes were equally as effective in quieting United’s Eric Cantona, the eventual goal scorer and match winner. Although the match wasn’t an instant classic, it’s looked upon fondly by supporters of English football, if not for the play on the field, then for the recognizable nostalgia.
Elsewhere, Blackburn host up and coming (literally) Queens Park Rangers at Ewood Park in a match that could spell upset as QPR are currently flying through the Championship and looking to make a return to the top flight next season. The two sides met in the 2005-06 competition with Blackburn running out to a 3-0 win while oddly, QPR haven’t won an FA Cup match since January, 2001. Since then, Rangers have lost nine and drawn five in the competition.
For a full list of FA Cup Third Round Proper matches click here and join SB Nation Soccer for live coverage of Arsenal Vs. Leeds United Saturday morning and Manchester United Vs. Liverpool on Sunday.
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