FA Cup preview A-L

Villa play host to Rovers, local pride is at stake at Ashton Gate

Last updated: 2nd January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FA Cup preview A-L

Sutton: Lincoln face troubled Trotters

Click below for individual match previews and stats:
Saturday
Accrington Stanley P Gillingham P
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Blackpool v Ipswich
Bolton v Lincoln City
Brentford v Doncaster
Bristol City P Cardiff P
Everton v Carlisle
Fulham v Swindon
Huddersfield v West Brom
Leicester v Swansea
Sunday
Chelsea v Watford

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The big boys set out on their quest for FA Cup glory this weekend as the competition reaches the third round stage.

The Premier League giants will be much-fancied to tread a path all the way to Wembley, but there are a number of plucky minnows hoping to stand in their way.

Bristol City and Cardiff did have the honour of getting proceedings up and running on Saturday, with the local rivals due to go head-to-head in a lunchtime kick-off at Ashton Gate, but the fixture has been postponed due to the freezing weather.

There will also be an all-Championship affair at the Walkers Stadium this weekend when high-flying Leicester City play host to fellow promotion hopefuls Swansea.

West Brom are also among those looking to secure a safe passage into the Premier League, but they will have their work cut out in the cup when they travel to free-scoring Huddersfield.

Blackpool and Ipswich provide another fixture between two sides who know plenty about each other from their league endeavours.

One of only three all-Premier League clashes takes place at Villa Park, with Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa taking on Sam Allardyce's Blackburn.

Lincoln City have endured a disappointing campaign so far, languishing towards the foot of League Two, but Chris Sutton will have his troops fired up for an away date at managerless Bolton.

League One Carlisle will also smell blood this Saturday, with Merseyside giants Everton set to welcome them to Goodison Park.

Third tier Swindon also go in search of a Premier League scalp when they make the trip to in-form Fulham.

Brentford have been in impressive touch of late and they will be hoping that momentum can carry them past Doncaster.

Accrington Stanley and Gillingham find themselves lodged in mid-table in their respective divisions, but their cup match has been postponed by the weather.

On Sunday, two sides with contrasting financial fortunes meet at Stamford Bridge as Premier League leaders Chelsea entertain troubled capital neighbours Watford.

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