Mark OgdenJan 8, 2026, 03:53 AM ETCloseMark Ogden is a senior soccer writer for ESPN.com. Read his archive here and follow him on Twitter: @MarkOgden_.Follow on X
play1:18Is Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham already in doubt?Julien Laurens explains why Thomas Frank may already be under pressure at Tottenham.
play1:51Why Juls believes Liam Rosenior has a ‘high potential’ at ChelseaJulien Laurens explains why Liam Rosenior could have a positive impact at Chelsea as their new manager until 2032.
Nicol: Ole Gunnar Solskjær makes complete sense for Man United (1:05)Steve Nicol and Frank Leboeuf discuss why Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s return to Manchester United would make sense for the club. (1:05)
Is Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham already in doubt?Julien Laurens explains why Thomas Frank may already be under pressure at Tottenham.
Why Juls believes Liam Rosenior has a ‘high potential’ at ChelseaJulien Laurens explains why Liam Rosenior could have a positive impact at Chelsea as their new manager until 2032.
Julien Laurens explains why Liam Rosenior could have a positive impact at Chelsea as their new manager until 2032.
The English FA Cup third round kicks off Friday, and it remains one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar — a weekend when non-league part-timers get the chance to realize the dream of playing — and beating — professional clubs, including the biggest teams in the Premier League.
It can be a weekend the top clubs dread given the risk of becoming the victim of a giant-killing, but it is the first step on the road to Wembley for the teams hoping to win the competition this season.
All of the action can be streamed live in the U.S. on the ESPN App, but which games are the ones you cannot miss?
It’s a classic FA Cup clash between a team pushing for promotion from the EFL Championship (Wrexham) against a side battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League (Forest).
Wrexham’s dream of an unprecedented fourth successive promotion is still alive, after a four-game winning streak moved them to within one point of the playoffs, so they will be confident they can upset Forest. Although Forest eased their relegation fears with a 2-1 win at West Ham United on Tuesday, Sean Dyche’s side could rest several players for this game due to league and Europa League commitments. Wrexham might even be favorites.
Why Thomas Tuchel is the best candidate to manage Man United
Manchester United are in a state of flux after Monday’s dismissal of head coach Ruben Amorim. It remains to be seen whether interim coach Darren Fletcher will remain in charge for this game, or if another interim — potentially Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Michael Carrick — is installed in time for this tie.
Whoever is in charge, United need to win. Having crashed out of the Carabao Cup with a humiliating second-round defeat at Grimsby, the FA Cup offers the only other route to success. The club cannot afford to exit another competition at the first hurdle. All the pressure will be on United rather than Brighton, who have won on three of their last four visits to Old Trafford.
Palace won their first-ever major honor by beating Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final, but Oliver Glasner’s side has been handed a very risky tie to launch the defense of its crown. Palace will be playing away to non-league Macclesfield — the lowest-ranked team left in the competition.
The Silkmen play in the National League North, the sixth tier of the English pyramid, and will face Palace at their tiny Moss Rose ground, which has an artificial surface. No side from the sixth tier has ever beaten a Premier League team and 115 places separate the two clubs in the pyramid, so Palace should win easy … shouldn’t they?
Is Thomas Frank’s future at Tottenham already in doubt?
Julien Laurens explains why Thomas Frank may already be under pressure at Tottenham.
This is the heavyweight tie of the third round. Both Premier League clubs have a big FA Cup history, but both are also experiencing lengthy trophy droughts in the competition: Eight-time winners Spurs haven’t lifted the cup since 1991, while the last of Villa’s seven FA Cup wins came in 1957.
Back in August, League Two side Grimsby pulled off a sensational Carabao Cup shock against Manchester United at Blundell Park, but they are now firmly in the role of favorites vs. minnows Weston-Super-Mare.
The Seagulls are flying high in the second spot of the sixth-tier National League South and have made it to the third round with wins over fellow non-leaguers Aldershot and Chelmsford. Meanwhile, Grimsby have tumbled down League Two since their historic win against United and are now struggling in midtable, so this one could end in a big shock.
Why Juls believes Liam Rosenior has a ‘high potential’ at Chelsea
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior will officially start his reign in charge with this tricky London derby away to Championship side Charlton.
On paper, this is a good tie for Arsenal, with the Premier League leaders traveling to a side that’s just one place above the Championship relegation zone. But Fratton Park is one of the most atmospheric and traditional grounds in the country, and Mikel Arteta’s players will face a culture shock when they step out at a stadium that opened in 1899.
Liverpool are struggling to rediscover last season’s title-winning form, so while this should be straightforward, don’t be surprised if it turns out to be a nervy night at Anfield on Monday.
Nicol: Ole Gunnar Solskjær makes complete sense for Man United (1:05)Steve Nicol and Frank Leboeuf discuss why Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s return to Manchester United would make sense for the club. (1:05)
Steve Nicol and Frank Leboeuf discuss why Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s return to Manchester United would make sense for the club. (1:05)
CloseMark Ogden is a senior soccer writer for ESPN.com. Read his archive here and follow him on Twitter: @MarkOgden_.Follow on X
Wrexham vs. Nottingham Forest (Friday, 2:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. GMT)
Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (Sunday, 11:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. GMT)
Macclesfield vs. Crystal Palace (Saturday, 7:15 a.m. ET / 12:15 p.m. GMT)
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa (Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET / 5:45 p.m. GMT)
Grimsby Town vs. Weston-super-Mare (Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET / 5:45 p.m. GMT)
Charlton Athletic vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT)
Portsmouth vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. GMT)
Liverpool vs. Barnsley (Monday, 2:45 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. GMT)
– Ogden: Man United need a superstar manager post-Amorim – Dawson: The inside story of why Man United fired Amorim – 12 intriguing candidates to be Man United’s next permanent manager
All logic points to a Gunners win, but this promises to be an awkward game for Arsenal.
play1:31Why Thomas Tuchel is the best candidate to manage Man UnitedSteve Nicol and Julien Laurens talk about why Thomas Tuchel could be the best coach available to take over Manchester United coaching role.
Why Thomas Tuchel is the best candidate to manage Man UnitedSteve Nicol and Julien Laurens talk about why Thomas Tuchel could be the best coach available to take over Manchester United coaching role.
Steve Nicol and Julien Laurens talk about why Thomas Tuchel could be the best coach available to take over Manchester United coaching role.