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FA Cup giant killings - the third round upsets to watchout for
The FA Cup Third Round is one of the highlights of the footballing calendar, and this weekend will be no different as the world's oldest cup competition takes centre stage.
It's the time of year when the 'Magic of the Cup' produces games and performances that live long in the memory, and the competition has been famous for some of the most memorable giantkillings in football history.
From Ronnie Radford's iconic goal against Newcastle to when fourth division Wrexham dumped First Division champions Arsenal out of the competition in 1992.
That magic has remained even in the modern era, despite the gulf separating Premier League teams and the EFL getting bigger and bigger. Stevenage beat Aston Villa after a late comeback to win 2-1 in 2023, and Leeds were hammered 3-0 by League Two side, Crawley Town, proving that there's always a chance of an upset in the FA Cup.
Ahead of this weekend's action, DAZN News pinpoints the likeliest places we might see an upset in this season's FA Cup third round...
FA Cup Third round potential upsets
Derby County vs Leeds United
Leeds play Derby County, where 13th in the Championship meets a team suddenly impressing in the top flight. Leeds' recent run has seen them beat Chelsea 3-1 and Crystal Palace 4-1, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin bang in form as one of the Premier League's hottest strikers.
The Championship side are no strangers to beating Leeds and have a credible record against the Yorkshire side, winning 21 of their 41 fixtures against the club.
Derby will also take heart in Leeds' recent FA Cup third round woes, where they needed a replay to beat Cardiff City last season, and have lost to lesser sides in the early rounds in recent memory like Newport County in 2018, QPR, Crawley Town, and Sutton United.
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Leeds, who are not out of the relegation battle yet, and are sitting in 16th in the Premier League, will likely look to rest players, seeing the competition as less important than leaguesurvival. Whereas for Derby, who are not in a play-off scrap or worrying about relegation, will relish a cup run.
Giant-killing ranking: 3/5 - Home advantage gives Derby a chance, especially with Leeds likely to rotate.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest
(C)Getty Images
The Wrexham fairytale continues with a strong Championship campaign where they are in a race for the play-offs. The club was taken over by celebrities Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021, and it has seen a historic rise from the National League, thanks to three consecutive promotions.
Their rise has had some critics, especially with the money that's been ploughed into the club, but the fans will not care, especially if they can beat Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup this weekend.
Forest are one place above the relegation zone and are in the Europa League this season, which means the FA Cup may not be a priority for the club.
They will believe they have a good chance in Europe and will see staying in the Premier League as essential for the club, so they are likely to rotate.
This will give Wrexham a chance, who have been itching to face a top-flight club with their recent success. They have not faced a top flight club since 1992, when they famously beat Arsenal.
Wrexham will back themselves at home; however, do not have the best home record, sitting 9th in the Championship table for home form.
Giant-killing rating - 4/5 - Don't count out the Red Dragons, as they continue to prove people wrong. Either way, we predict this game to be tight and could go all the way to extra time and penalties.
West Ham vs QPR
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
West Ham have suffered a dismal campaign this far, sitting firmly in the relegation zone and seven points behind the team above them. This will give QPR all the confidence, knowing West Ham will rotate their squad, with their eyes on staying in the Premier League.
West Ham's defence has struggled this season, conceding the most goals in the Premier League, with 41 in only 21 matches, and if they are going to rest any of their starting defenders against QPR on Sunday, things could get worse for the Hammers.
QPR have shown a much more attacking style of play this year, with only four teams scoring more goals than them in the Championship and will bring over 9,000 fans to the London Stadium as they look to overturn the worst FA Cup Third Round record in all of English football.
Giant-killing rating: 3/5 - West Ham's recent woes include becoming the first team to lose to Wolves this season and another bad result could signal the end of Nuno Espirito Santo. The opening goal will be key in this one, and if Rangers strike first, then it could be a nasty afternoon for the Premier League side.
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