BLADES DRAWN AT ROVERS IN FA CUP
BRISTOL Rovers will host Premier League strugglers Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round, while Bristol City have been drawn at home to League One promotion hopefuls Portsmouth.
Despite operating two levels lower than the Blades, Paul Tisdale’s Rovers side will fancy their chances of giving the Yorkshire side an uncomfortable time at the Memorial Stadium.
Chris Wilder’s team sit bottom of the Premier League, having taken just one point from ten games this season - and having scored only four goals.
In contrast, Portsmouth are the leading goalscorers in League One, with 26 from ten games. Kenny Jackett’s team are fifth in the table and won the FA Cup as recently as 2008, when the then-Premier League side beat Championship club Cardiff 1-0 in the final.
Eighth-tier Marine have been handed a dream draw at home to Premier League leaders Tottenham.
Northern Premier League Division One side Marine became only the second side from the eighth tier to reach the third round after beating Havant & Waterlooville after extra time on Sunday.
National League North side Chorley will play Derby at home and Stockport, of the National League, have also been handed home advantage in their tie against West Ham.
Holders Arsenal face Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium, and another all-Premier League tie sees Aston Villa against Liverpool at Villa Park.
Sky Bet League Two side Crawley have been drawn to play Leeds at home. Last season’s beaten finalists Chelsea will play League Two side Morecambe at Stamford Bridge, and 2019 winners Manchester City will host Birmingham.
QPR face Fulham in a west London derby at Loftus Road, while Manchester United have been drawn at home to Watford. Emirates FA Cup, third rd: Huddersfield Tn v Plymouth Argyle, Southampton v Shrewsbury Tn, Chorley v Derby County, Marine v Tottenham, Wolves v Crystal Palace, Stockport County v West Ham, Oldham Ath v AFC Bournemouth, Manchester Utd v Watford, Stevenage v Swansea City, Everton v Rotherham Utd, Nottm Forest v Cardiff City, Arsenal v Newcastle Utd, Barnsley v Tranmere Rovers, Bristol Rovers v Sheffield Utd, Canvey Island or Boreham Wood v Millwall, Blackburn Rovers v Doncaster Rovers, Stoke City v Leciester City, Wycombe Wands v Preston, Crawley Tn v Leeds Utd, Burnley v MK Dons, Bristol City v Portsmouth, QPR v Fulham, Aston Villa v Liverpool, Brentford v Middlesbrough, Manchester City v Birmingham City, Luton Tn v Reading, Chelsea v Morecambe, Exeter City v Sheffield Weds, Norwich City v Coventry City, Blackpool v West Brom, Newport County v Brighton, Cheltenham Tn v Mansfield Tn.
Ties to be played on weekend of Jan 8-11.