FA Cup third round draw simulated: Manchester City face Championship club, Manchester United clash with Premier League giants

Ahead of the FA Cup third round draw on Monday evening, City Xtra have completed their own simulation of proceedings offering some exciting match-ups.

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players will be eyeing up the reclaiming of the trophy having lost out at the very final hurdle at the end of last season to city rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo put Erik ten Hag’s side into a 2-0 lead before half-time, whilst Jeremy Doku would give Manchester City some late hope of a comeback, only for the Belgian’s goal to be too little, too late.

As such, the draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place at the home of Ruben Amorim’s side in Old Trafford, with Manchester City perhaps viewing the competition as a revived chance of silverware following recent struggles.

Ball numbers, how to watch live, fixture dates, potential opponents – FA Cup third round draw details

As always, the FA Cup third round welcomes some of the smaller teams within the English football pyramid, and gives them the golden opportunity of taking on some of the most prestigious clubs in world football.

Among the minnows to be watching on with great anticipation and excitement on Monday evening are Harrogate Town and Bromley of League Two, as well as Tamworth of the National League.

Before the official draw is completed at the home of Manchester United on Monday 2 December, we have simulated proceedings ourselves to give you a taste of what to expect from the FA Cup third round draw for the 2024/25 season!

Simulated FA Cup third round draw

Wigan Athletic vs Brentford

Reading vs Preston North End

Harrogate Town vs Mansfield Town

Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United

Luton Town vs Millwall

Lincoln City vs Derby County

Charlton Athletic vs Everton

Manchester City vs Sheffield United

Doncaster Rovers vs Bristol City

Crystal Palace vs Peterborough United

Stoke City vs West Bromwich Albion

Watford vs Norwich City

Aston Villa vs Leeds United

Leyton Orient vs Dagenham & redbridge

Bristol City vs Salford City

Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal

AFC Bournemouth vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Wycombe Wanderers vs Liverpool

Sunderland vs Accrington Stanley

Coventry City vs Blackburn Rovers

Plymouth Argyle vs Sheffield Wednesday

Queens Park Rangers vs Hull City

Birmingham City vs Southampton

Cardiff City vs Newcastle United

Burnley vs Middlesbrough

Portsmouth vs Morecambe

Leicester City vs Exeter City

Chelsea vs Ipswich Town

Stockport County vs Tamworth

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Oxford United

Swansea City vs Fulham

Bromley vs West Ham United