FA Cup preview M-R

Roses rivals meet in pick of the third round ties

Last updated: 1st January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FA Cup preview M-R

United v Leeds: First meeting in six years

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Saturday
Middlesbrough v Manchester City
Millwall v Derby County
MK Dons v Burnley
Nottingham Forest v Birmingham
Plymouth v Newcastle
Portsmouth v Coventry
Preston v Colchester
Reading v Liverpool
Sunday
Manchester United v Leeds United
Notts County v Forest Green

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Manchester United's meeting with Roses rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford is the pick of the ties in the third round of the FA Cup.

The duo have enjoyed a fierce rivalry over the years, which has only been offset in recent seasons by the Whites' fall from grace.

They will lock horns once again on Sunday for the first time since February 2004, when Alan Smith - who went on to join the Red Devils - netted the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Manchester City will have designs on claiming some silverware to justify their vast financial outlay as new boss Roberto Mancini takes his side to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Reading have the opportunity to heap further pressure on Rafa Benitez as Liverpool head to the Madejski Stadium, with cup success one way to silence the rumblings of discontent on Merseyside.

Troubled Portsmouth, who have been on a downward spiral since their 2008 triumph in the competition, play host to Coventry at Fratton Park.

Headlines

Birmingham City have enjoyed a superb recent run of form in the Premier League, but will be put to the test when they take on Championship high-flyers Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

Neighbours Notts County must wait until Sunday for their third round encounter, with non-league minnows Forest Green Rovers hoping to cause an upset at Meadow Lane.

Burnley have created plenty of headlines for their cup exploits in recent seasons and will be wary of coming unstuck when they tackle League One side MK Dons.

Newcastle will not want the FA Cup to distract from their ambition of securing an immediate return to the Premier League as they head to Championship rivals Plymouth.

Preston are on the lookout for a new manager after dispensing with the services of Alan Irvine, with Rob Kelly in caretaker charge for the weekend encounter with Colchester at Deepdale.

Millwall reached the final of the competition back in 2004 and have the benefit of home advantage as Derby County make the trip to the Den.

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