The third round of the FA Cup is one of the most anticipated stages of the English football calendar, and the 2025/26 edition is no different. Taking place from January 9-12, 2026, this round marks the entry of Premier League and Championship clubs into the competition. These dates will instantly raise the stakes and draw major attention from fans, pundits, and bettors alike.
With historic upsets, intense rivalries, and contrasting styles all part of the FA Cup’s identity, the FA Cup third round odds are already shifting as team news, form, and fixture congestion come into play. From high-profile all–Premier League clashes to lower-league encounters with upset potential, this FA Cup 2025/26 betting preview looks at the standout fixtures, key market trends, and early FA Cup third round predictions ahead of a packed football weekend.
If you are a football fan, you do not want to miss the following matches! Be sure to watch these fixtures this coming weekend.
One of the headline ties of the round sees Manchester United host Brighton & Hove Albion in an all–Premier League showdown. United enter the fixture as narrow favourites in most FA Cup match odds, largely due to home advantage and their strong FA Cup pedigree. However, Brighton’s tactical discipline and recent consistency against top-six sides make this a far from straightforward contest.
Markets suggest that Manchester United are priced slightly shorter, while Brighton is viewed as a live outsider, especially in the “to qualify” market rather than the 90-minute result. From a FA Cup match preview standpoint, this tie is expected to be tightly contested, with goals markets attracting interest given both teams’ attacking profiles. As part of broader FA Cup third round predictions, this fixture stands out as one where extra time or penalties cannot be ruled out.
Another compelling all–Premier League encounter comes as Tottenham hosts Aston Villa. Spurs are typically strong at home and tend to be backed by bettors early in FA Cup markets, but Villa’s physical approach and counter-attacking threat have kept odds closer than usual.
Early FA Cup match odds suggest Tottenham are favourites, though not overwhelmingly so. Villa’s recent league performances against top sides have influenced betting sentiment, particularly in the goals and both-teams-to-score markets. For those looking at FA Cup tips & predictions, this fixture is often highlighted as one where squad rotation could play a decisive role, especially with both teams balancing domestic league commitments.
Wrexham hosting Nottingham Forest is one of the most talked-about ties of the weekend. The Championship side’s rise in recent seasons has made them a popular underdog pick, but Forest’s top-flight experience still carries weight in betting markets.
Most FA Cup third round odds list Nottingham Forest as favourites, though Wrexham’s home support and aggressive style have shortened the gap. Bettors looking for value are closely watching this tie, particularly in handicap and “team to score” markets. As far as FA Cup weekend fixtures go, this is a classic example of the competition’s magic, where momentum and belief can challenge league status.
Away from the Premier League spotlight, Port Vale vs Fleetwood Town represents the kind of lower-league FA Cup tie that often delivers surprises. With both sides familiar with each other’s tactics and physical demands, bookmakers have kept FA Cup match odds relatively tight.
Fleetwood are marginal favourites in early markets, but Port Vale’s home form and direct approach make them a strong contender to progress. From a tactical perspective, this fixture is expected to be cagey, with under-goal markets drawing attention. For bettors seeking long-term value, this match is often highlighted in FA Cup third-round predictions as one where the underdog could force a replay or advance outright.
Across the board, the FA Cup third round odds tend to reflect a balance between squad depth and motivation. Premier League sides are usually favoured, but historical data shows that rotation and fixture congestion can quickly swing outcomes.
One notable trend in this year’s markets is the narrowing gap between top-flight teams and ambitious lower-league sides. Bettors are increasingly cautious, favouring “to qualify” and double-chance options rather than outright match results. From a FA Cup tips & predictions angle, the following sections are seeing growing interest:
Potential upsets are most often flagged in matches where Premier League teams face Championship opposition away from home. Aggregated odds data suggests that value may lie in backing underdogs to score first or push games beyond 90 minutes, rather than focusing solely on outright wins.
Beyond individual fixtures, the FA Cup outright winner market is also beginning to take shape. Well-known football clubs and heavyweights remain clear favourites in long-term markets, but third-round exits for any of these sides would dramatically reshape outright odds. This includes:
For bettors following the FA Cup 2025/26 betting preview, the third round is often where sharp price movements begin, especially if one or two major clubs are eliminated early. These results can have a ripple effect, shortening odds on remaining contenders and creating new value opportunities deeper into the tournament.
The FA Cup third round once again promises a weekend full of drama, unpredictability, and betting intrigue. With standout clashes like Manchester United vs Brighton, Tottenham vs Aston Villa, and Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest, fans and bettors alike have plenty to look forward to across the FA Cup weekend fixtures.
Whether focusing on favourites, hunting for underdog value, or exploring alternative markets, this weekend’s action is set to play a key role in shaping the rest of the FA Cup campaign. For now, anticipation is high as one of football’s most iconic competitions returns to centre stage in the latest sports news cycle.
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