Tasty Battle Of The Reds Highlights FA Cup Draw

Manchester United v Liverpool is the plum tie of the FA Cup 3rd Round matches, drawn in London today.

Music stars Noel Gallagher from Oasis and Serge Pizzorno from Kasabian made the draw and incredibly, their favourite clubs Manchester City and Leicester City were drawn to face each other at Leicester’s Walker Stadium.

Leeds United famously eliminated Manchester United at Old Trafford at this stage last year and were given the chance to repeat it with an away tie at Arsenal.

FC United, the team created by rebel Manchester United fans, will face last year’s FA Cup finalists Portsmouth if they beat Brighton and Hove Albion, who themselves will relish the South Coast derby element of the fixture.

There is another potential derby at White Hart Lane where Charlton Athletic will visit if they beat Luton in their second round tie.

There are banana skins for two of the big three North east clubs. Newcastle United travel to Stevenage and Middlesbrough go to Burton Albion. Elimination for either would be greatly embarrassing.

Other EPL sides with potential nightmares may be Stoke City who await high-flying Championship side Cardiff City and Birmingham who travel south to play Millwall.

Two struggling Lancashire sides are heading for England’s East Coast. Wigan Athletic who cross the Pennines to visit Hull City who are 18th in the Championship.

Three places below Hull lie Scunthorpe United. Everton will be traveling in the same direction as Wigan to avoid defeat there.

Holders Chelsea host 1978 winners Ipswich Town.

A third Lancashire EPL side with cause for nerves are Blackburn Rovers who conceded seven goals yesterday to the top of the EPL. They drew the side at the top of the Championship, Queens Park Rangers. It looks like a shock in waiting.

Fulham, West Ham and Bolton Wanderers all scored comfortable home ties against lower league opposition.

Highlights:

FC United or Brighton v Portsmouth – possible South Coast derby

Arsenal v Leeds United

Leicester City v Manchester City – the sides of the two pop stars making the draw

Stevenage v Newcastle

Burton Albion v Middlesbrough

Chelsea v Ipswich (1978 winners)

Man United v Liverpool

Tottenham v Charlton or Luton (Possible London derby)

Ties to be played on January 8 and 9

Daniel "Pitchside" Pitcher Twitter: @DanFM104Sport About: Dan "Pitchside" Pitcher provides insight and commentary as the chief soccer and rugby correspondent for Sportspeak.