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Few Gems in FA Cup Draw

FA Cup Draw has Few Potential Giantkillings

Jan 8, 2008 Mike Martin

With almost half the Premier League already out of the tournament, there are only a handful of potential shocks in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

There will be at least seven non-Premier League sides in the last 16 of the FA Cup as the draw gave only three lower division sides the chance to host a top-flight side.

One potential shock could come at Brammall Lane, where Sheffield Utd will host either Manchester City or West Ham, whilst Middlesbrough travel to Mansfield Town. Fulham, should they win their replay at Bristol Rovers, will face a trip to Swindon or Barner.

Holders Chelsea will travel to Wigan Athletic while Manchester Utd face a record eleventh consecutive FA Cup game against Premier League opposition as they host the winner of the Reading-Tottenham replay.

There is another potential heavyweight clash between Arsenal and Newcastle at the Emirates, unless Stock City can pull off a shock win at St James' Park in the 3rd Round replay. Non-league outfit Havant & Waterlooville have a huge incentive to pull off a replay win at home to Swansea City, with a trip to face Liverpool at Anfield the likely reward.

3rd Round giantkillers Oldham and Huddersfield face each other in an all-League One tie, while League Two Peterborough will host a Championship side in West Brom or Charlton.

Elsewhere, Plymouth Argyle face a trip to Premier League Portsmouth whilst Derby County will host Preston North End should they successfully negotiate their replay at Sheffield Wednesday.

The Draw in Full:

Arsenal v Newcastle Utd or Stoke City

Barnet or Swindon Town v Bristol Rovers or Fulham

Coventry City v Walsall or Millwall

Hereford Utd or Tranmere Rovers v Cardiff City

Liverpool or Luton Town v Swansea City or Havant & Waterlooville

Manchester Utd v Reading or Tottenham Hotspur

Mansfield Town v Middlesbrough

Oldham Athletic v Huddersfield Town

Peterborough Utd v West Bromwich Albion or Charlton Athletic

Portsmouth v Plymouth Argyle

Sheffield Utd v Manchester City or West Ham Utd

Sheffield Wednesday or Derby County v Preston North End

Southampton v Bury or Norwich City

Southend Utd v Barnsley

Watford v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wigan Athletic v Chelsea

Ties to be played on 26/27 January.

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