FA Cup third round focus

Verdict: CHAR-GRILLED GILLS

Kidderminster v Wolves

3pm tomorrow, Aggborough Stadium

Referee: Chris Foy (St Helens) Facts: Wolves have gone 11 games on the road since a win. Kidderminster's Dean Bennett has already scored four FA Cup goals in two matches this season Standout bet: Dean Bennett to score the first goal: 14-1 (Bet365)

Amid a sea of balti pies and Ansells ale, the Midlands celebrates an old-fashonioned Cup tie. Manager Jan Molby will of course be hungry for a giant-killing - and anything else on the post-match buffet - but Wolves should have them for breakfast.

Verdict: DANCING WITH WOLVES

Manchester City v Leicester

3pm tomorrow, City of Manchester Stadium

Referee: Graham Poll (Tring) Facts: Les Ferdinand was a Tottenham player when he last scored an FA Cup goal, against Coventry in January 2002 Standout bet: Home win for City: 10-11 (Tote)

Maine Road may have been the Theatre of Comedy, but the move to their new stadium is fast becoming a tragedy for City fans. Kevin Keegan's eclectic rabble have not won at home since 18 October and included in that dismal run was a 3-0 spanking delivered by Leicester.

Verdict: NEW YEAR HONOURS EVEN

Middlesbrough v Notts County

3pm tomorrow, Riverside Stadium

Referee: Mark Halsey (Bolton) Facts: Notts County last made the fourth round in 1993-94 when they were knocked out by an extra-time Lee Chapman goal in a replay against West Ham Standout bet: Boro to win 2-0: 8-1 (Stan James)

The New Year's Day hangover is less painful than a game at the Riverside right now. Steve McClaren's snooze inducers are to entertainment what George Best is to marriage guidance counselling. They have scored just six Premiership goals at home all season, but surely Juninho and Co will fill their boots against struggling County.

Verdict: BORO BONANZA

Millwall v Walsall

3pm tomorrow, The Den

Tickets: £13-£15 (£2-£7 concs). Tel. 020 7231 9999. Referee: Richard Beeby (Northampton) Facts: Millwall have lost just one of their last eight against the Saddlers. Neil Emblen and Jorge Leitao have each scored two in four games from Walsall's run of four without defeat Standout bet: Tim Cahill to score the first goal: 7-1 (Bet365)

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins insists he does not believe in hoodoos. But it's a view he may want to reconsider given the curse afflicting the club's strikers. On-loan Nick Chadwick is the latest victim, revealing he needs surgery on an injured groin. Walsall's Paul Merson knows a thing or two about conquering demons, and may offer some advice tomorrow.

Verdict: DEN OF EQUALITY

Portsmouth v Blackpool

3pm tomorrow, Fratton Park

Referee: Steve Dunn (Bristol) Facts: Pompey striker Yakubu has not scored in his last eight matches. Portsmouth haven't reached the fourth round of the Cup since 1999. Scott Taylor is Blackpool's top scorer this season with 21 goals Standout bet: Portsmouth to win 2-1: 9-1 (Bet Direct, Blue Square)

If I know Harry Redknapp, he will have spent most of the last week on the old dog and bone, trying to coax a few players down to the South Coast when the window creaks open. In the meantime, though, a decent Cup run would help keep the Pompey punters happy as they contemplate a New Year battle against relegation.

Verdict: POMPEY CHIMES LOUD AND CLEAR

Southampton v Newcastle

5.35pm tomorrow, St Mary's - live on BBC1

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral) Facts: Newcastle haven't won an away match against the Saints since 1972 Standout bet: Southampton to win 1-0: 7-1 (Hills, Bet365, Ladbrokes, S James)

Southampton went all the way to Cardiff last season, although the FA Cup Final was such a tepid affair that most of us outside Hampshire have forgotten about it already. Newcastle continue to underachieve.

Verdict: SAINTS ALIVE

Tottenham v Crystal Palace

3pm tomorrow, White Hart Lane

Tickets: Spurs: £20-£25 (£5 concs), in person from ticket office only. Palace: Sold out Referee: Andy D'Urso (Billericay) Facts: Palace are unbeaten in their last six games at White Hart Lane but did lose 4-0 in an FA Cup fixture at Spurs in January 1987. Tottenham have gone five games without a win and will want to wipe out memories of last season's FA Cup third round humiliation at Southampton Standout bet: Palace to force a replay: 13-5 (Stanley)

To the tune of Yellow Submarine, Tottenham fans sang "Levy's taking us on a Nationwide tour" as their side sank into the drop zone last weekend. And The Beatles theme could continue tomorrow with the White Hart Lane faithful expecting another hard day's night on the long and winding road to recovery. An upset is possible with Palace - resurgent under Iain Dowie and with Andy Johnson (above) in top scoring form - looking to get back to where they once belonged.

Verdict: HIPPY SHAKES FOR SPURS

Tranmere v Bolton

Noon tomorrow, Prenton Park

Referee: Steve Bennett (Orpington) Facts: Tranmere are unbeaten in eight home games. Standout bet: Bolton (half-time); Bolton (full-time): 7-4 (Bet365)

Not the most evocative FA Cup tie in the third-round draw - in fact, it sounds as attractive as a private audience with John Prescott.

Verdict: BOLTON IN THE HAT

Watford v Chelsea

12.30pm tomorrow, Vicarage Road - live on Sky Sports 2

Tickets: Watford: £25-£30 (£15-£20 concs) Tel: 01923 496 010; Chelsea: Sold out. Referee: Alan Wiley (Burntwood) Facts: Scott Fitzgerald made it nine for the season when finding the back of the net in Sunday's 2-1 win over Cardiff, Watford's first win in seven matches Standout bet: Chelsea to win to nil: 11-10 (Bet365)

A tricky little tie for Claudio Ranieri's Blues chip boys. The manager knows that he really has to win something this season and so why not the FA Cup? Watford, though, battled through to the semi-finals last season and will want more of the same.

Verdict: BLUES GO THROUGH

Wigan v West Ham

3pm tomorrow, JJB Stadium

Away ticket info: £16 (£11 concs). Tel: 0870 112 2700 Referee: Howard Webb (Rotherham) Facts: West Ham are unbeaten in seven away games and have already beaten Wigan 4-0 this season. Nathan Ellington is Wigan's top scorer with 10 Standout bet: Home win for Wigan: 8-5 (Coral)

Alan Pardew was distinctly underwhelmed with the FA's decision to confirm Jermain Defoe's five-match ban but the West Ham manager will have become used to being without his striker following his third red card this season. Is Defoe on his way from the club now?

Verdict: REPLAY ON THE CARDS

Aston Villa v Manchester Utd

12.30pm Sunday, Villa Park

Referee: Mike Riley (Leeds) Facts: Juan Pablo Angel has scored six in his last seven games while Villa are unbeaten in their last five. United are unbeaten at Villa Park since October 1999 Standout bet: Manchester United to score a penalty: 9-2 (Bet365)

Arsenal dumped United out of last season's competition and Sir Alex and his team will have to be on their guard again since the Midlands club are showing distinct signs of improvement, thanks mainly to the late blossoming of their striker Juan Pablo Angel.

Verdict: UNITED SNEAK THROUGH

Fulham v Cheltenham

2pm Sunday, Loftus Road

Tickets: £20 (£7-£12 concs). Tel: 0870 442 1234 Referee: Peter Walton (Winwick) Facts: Louis Saha has netted six of Fulham's last eight goals. Bob Taylor scored his 200th league goal in Cheltenham's 3-2 win over Macclesfield on Boxing Day. Standout bet: Fulham to win 2-0: 9-1 (Bet365, Stan James)

Fulham ought to ensure they don't end up as an FA Cup shock statistic although beware Cheltenham striker Bob Taylor, who uses his bus pass to travel to games these days but is still scoring for fun.

Verdict: NO SWEAT FOR COLEMAN

Leeds v Arsenal

4.05pm Sunday, Elland Road - live on Sky Sports 1

Away ticket info: £20 (£10 concs). Tel: 020 7704 4040 Referee: Rob Styles (Portsmouth) Facts: Rob Styles referees an Arsenal game for the first time since sending off Ashley Cole for a two-footed challenge at Leicester on 6 December Standout bet: Arsenal (half-time); Arsenal (full-time): 13-8 (Coral)

In their financial predicament, a good FA Cup run would be a godsend for Leeds but, with the holders Arsenal beginning to look ominously impregnable, the money men might just have to make do with the profit they make from this all-Premiership encounter.

Verdict: BYE BYE LEEDS

Yeovil v Liverpool

1pm Sunday, Huish Park - live on BBC1

Referee: Neale Barry (Scunthorpe) Facts: Kevin Gall took his tally to 10 for the season when scoring in both games for Yeovil at Christmas while Liverpool have gone four away games without a win Standout bet: Liverpool minus one on the handicap: 11-10 (Coral, Stan James)

This draw must have been about as welcome as a Christmas tree with needle drop for Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier. He knows the vultures are circling steadily above Anfield already without anything else going wrong. It remains a tall order for Yeovil, however.

Verdict: END OF THE ROMANCE FOR YEOVIL