FA Cup 2015: Preview of Remaining 3rd-Round Fixtures
The third round of the 2014-15 FA Cup has almost reached its end as Premier League big guns and lower-league minnows alike burrow their way further into England's favourite tournament.
This weekend saw the likes of underdogs Sheffield United, Rochdale and Preston North End proceed into the fourth round, while giants such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United will also progress.
The third-round drama isn't over yet, though, as we look ahead to those fixtures still to come, including key clashes involving top-flight outfits Liverpool, Everton, West Ham and Burnley.
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Burnley vs. Tottenham
Date: Monday, January 5
Sean Dyche and Mauricio Pochettino both head into Monday's FA Cup clash with a conundrum on their hands as to where they place their priorities this season.
Both managers would love to advance far in cup contest but tread lightly in knowing that Premier League matters are also of grave importance, the Clarets merely hoping for top-flight survival while Spurs still seek a European finish.
Goal.com's Dom Farrell reports that Harry Kane is likely to be rested by Pochettino for the trip to Turf Moor, while injured Ryan Mason could be replaced by Moussa Dembele, Benjamin Stambouli or Paulinho.
Tottenham return to the FA Cup on a high following their 5-3 win over Chelsea on New Year's Day, and if one squad had to be backed in possessing greater strength in depth, the north Londoners certainly come out on top.
AFC Wimbledon vs. Liverpool
Date: Monday, January 5
All talk leading up to Liverpool's fixture at AFC Wimbledon has revolved around the reunion between the two clubs 27 years after the latter upset the Reds in the 1988 FA Cup final.
Both organisations have changed massively since then in terms of stature, with Wimbledon's hulking front man, Adebayo Akinfenwa, hailing the magnitude of the clash, per Match of the Day:
Brendan Rodgers' side are at present a more humble lineup than the one which lost at Wembley all those years ago but will still need to be on guard in ensuring their five-match unbeaten streak continues.
The League Two hosts have an entirely less grievous pressure on their shoulders to advance, but it can often be that nothing-to-lose mentality that gives the FA Cup its reputation for giant-killings.
Everton vs. West Ham United
Date: Tuesday, January 6
One of only three third-round fixtures pitting Premier League clubs against one another, Everton and West Ham will do battle on Tuesday in a matchup between two sides in entirely different veins of form.
This season has seen Sam Allardyce's Hammers replace the Toffees as top-four competitors in the Premier League, with Matchbook.com illustrating Everton's dismal record of late:
Jason Burt writes for The Telegraph that should Roberto Martinez's side lose to their east London foes, the manager may even find his management being called into question:
The official Everton website details that James McCarthy will undergo a late fitness test to see if he's ready to line up against West Ham. Meanwhile, Christian Atsu is away on international duty, and Antolin Alcaraz serves a one-match suspension.
Allardyce arguably has the greater absences to contend with, however, after Cheikhou Kouyate and Diafra Sakho travelled to the Africa Cup of Nations, while Alex Song may yet be called up by Cameroon.
Scunthorpe United vs. Chesterfield
Date: Tuesday, January 6
The lower-profile encounter of the remaining fourth-round ties sees League One opponents Scunthorpe and Chesterfield face off in what promises to be a fiercely close encounter.
Chesterfield will be the markedly more tired outfit of the two, having only advanced to the fourth round on Friday after what was technically their second third-round victory over MK Dons, per BBC Sport:
The Spireites currently sit seventh in League One but can be upbeat about their chances of progressing past Scunthorpe, currently 18th in England's third tier.
Only three League One teams have conceded more goals than Chesterfield this season, but the club has entered a more fruitful patch of late, going unbeaten in six league outings to make for a more promising tie.
