Tricky FA Cup draw for Chelsea

FA Cup holders Chelsea will begin the defence of their trophy with a tricky third-round visit to fellow Premier League side Southampton.

Last Updated: 12/12/12 at 16:08 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  FA Cup. Click here to bet.

Chelsea, who lifted the trophy last season, start their defence against Southamp

Chelsea, who lifted the trophy last season, start their defence against Southamp

League leaders Manchester United also face a potential banana-skin with a visit to Sam Allardyce's West Ham, while neighbours Manchester City host Watford.

Last year's runners-up Liverpool will travel to the winners of the Lincoln City-Mansfield replay, with Merseyside rivals Everton travelling to Cheltenham.

Eight-times winners Tottenham host League One Coventry in a repeat of the dramatic 1987 final which the Sky Blues won 3-2, while Arsenal head to Swansea, who shocked the Gunners with a 2-0 win at the Emirates on Saturday.

Elsewhere, the winners of the Harrogate-Hastings replay will be rewarded with a trip to Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough, while Luton welcome Wolves to Kenilworth Road.

West Brom travel to QPR in the only other all-Premier League tie, while Newcastle head to Brighton, Fulham host Blackpool, Sunderland go to Bolton and Aston Villa take on Ipswich at Villa Park.

Another tie which catches the eye is the East Anglian derby between Peterborough and Norwich at London Road.

FA Cup third-round draw:

Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Brighton v Newcastle
Tottenham v Coventry
Wigan v Bournemouth
Fulham v Blackpool
Aston Villa v Ipswich
Charlton v Huddersfield
Barrow/Macclesfield v Cardiff
Barnsley v Burnley
Manchester City v Watford
Swansea v Arsenal
Leicester v Burton
Millwall v Preston
Cheltenham v Everton
Southend v Brentford or Bradford
Derby v Tranmere
Crawley v Reading
Aldershot v Rotherham/Notts Co
Middlesbrough v Harrogate/Hastings
Accrington/Oxford v Sheffield United
Southampton v Chelsea
QPR v West Brom
Peterborough v Norwich
Lincoln/Mansfield v Liverpool
Bolton v Sunderland
Nottm Forest v Oldham
West Ham v Manchester United
Hull v Leyton Orient
Blackburn v Bristol City
Leeds v Birmingham
Luton v Wolves
Sheffield Wednesday v MK Dons

Ties to played on 5/6 January.

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