FA Cup third round: 10 things to look out for this weekend

08-Jan-2021 00:05:22 | The Guardian

Boreham Wood, Marine and Stockport are hoping for romance but a shadow of uncertainty is hanging over the competition

Chorley’s home tie against Derby always looked ripe for an upset and still does, albeit with the Championship side now in the role of underdogs against hosts from four divisions below. An outbreak of Covid-19 means Wayne Rooney and his senior Derby players will be watching from home as a team of youngsters deputise in order to fulfil the fixture. A similar scenario may unfold on Friday evening with Aston Villa fielding youth players at home to Liverpool. Chorley’s chances of reaching the fourth round have hugely increased, but manager Jamie Vermiglio has been left deflated by the fixture’s reduction in status to little more than a box-ticking exercise. At least, unlike Southampton’s game against Shrewsbury, it’s still going ahead. At a time when the virus looks likely to wreak havoc on fixture lists in all four divisions, there is little wriggle-room even without these added headaches. Whether or not Covid-hit games should be played this weekend is open to serious question, much like the wisdom of even attempting to carry on with this season’s FA Cup. BG

Chorley v Derby, Saturday 12.15pm (all times GMT)

Blackpool v West Brom, Saturday 3pm

Newport County v Brighton, Sunday 7.45pm

Stockport v West Ham, Monday 8pm