Kevin De Bruyne returns for Manchester City in the Tyne-Wear derby. In addition, Wigan vs. Manchester United, Manchester City vs. Huddersfield, Chelsea vs. Preston, Tottenham vs. Burnley, and Maidstone vs. Stevenage will be challenged in the FA Cup third round between January 4 and January 8.
Sunday, 4.30 p.m., Arsenal vs. Liverpool
According to Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, Salah’s absence for the rest of January the “damages” the Reds, and while the player is irreplaceable, Klopp can use the clash at the Emirates to try out who he maintains has the greatest ability to fill in for the Premier League’s joint top scorer on the right side of their strike.
And, with two Premier League goals and a contribution to his record this season, especially a late winner against Crystal Palace, the 20-year-old has the confidence to take on one of the biggest challenges in global football: replacing Salah. -Morgan, Richard
Key Arsenal players require a break, but newcomers will be eager to prove their value
Arsenal will face Liverpool three times in just over a month’s time, but the second game in the series may be the one in which Mikel Arteta makes squad choices based on the larger picture.
A victory would be a timely morale boost, but the recovery may be the goal.
Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round match against Arsenal on Sunday will be the first time this season that manager Jurgen Klopp will be powerless to choose Mohamed Salah in his starting lineup, as the striker is now in Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The loss that Arsenal suffered at Fulham last weekend was far from optimal and undoubtedly Arteta and the other players from that game will be ready to go back on the pitch and put in an improved performance.
However, following a busy holiday schedule, some mental and physical recovery will undoubtedly be in order, with Arsenal winning only one of their past six games in all competitions.
Arteta’s Tactical Balancing Act in FA Cup Clash
With Takehiro Tomiyasu in the Asian Cup and Oleksandr Zinchenko nursing a calf injury, Jakob Kiwior will most probably start in defense. Aaron Ramsdale, Leandro Trossard, Emile Smith Rowe, and Jorginho are all expected to play.
Arteta used the Carabao Cup tie against West Ham earlier this season in order to keep important guys Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, and William Saliba out of the firing line, and despite the powerful opponents going to the Emirates, a similar method might be on the cards today.
With a Champions League last-16 meet to look forward to and a Premier League championship bid to bring back, Arsenal has pushed the FA Cup down the priority list for the time being. But it will still be an important game for the outside players who have been given an opportunity, and if Liverpool takes the same position, Arteta may be able to have his cake and eat it.-Smith, Peter
De Bruyne promises to be the ‘greatest player in the world’ when he returns
After Kevin De Bruyne’s first touchline warm-up after returning from injury, Manchester City manager Jurgen Klopp brought up fear about his fitness.
Manchester City fans celebrated De Bruyne, who has only played 23 league minutes this season because of to a constant hamstring ailment, during their win against Sheffield United.
Pep Guardiola’s visit to Huddersfield provides an opportunity for a gradual return De Bruyne to full health.
With no players on international duty for the Premier League winners this month, De Bruyne’s returning home is a double treat.
Warm weather training in the Middle East for the Club World Cup has permitted the 32-year-old to boost the level of effort of his team-mates’ training.
De Bruyne has stated that he aims to be the “best player in the world.” After four months of watching from the sidelines, he hopes to take the first step on that journey against the Terriers this weekend. -Ben Grounds
Sunderland versus. Newcastle, 2.45 p.m.
With only one win in their past eight games, a cup tie against a lower-league opponent should be a perfect beginning for Newcastle. On the contrary, the “one game they didn’t want” is a trip to Sunderland.
That was Gary Neville’s point of view, and it’s simple to understand why. Sunderland will welcome Newcastle to the Stadium of Light with genuine hope that they can add to their opponents’ woes and cause major worries about Eddie Howe’s future.
In addition to what is sure to be a noisy atmosphere, Newcastle will have to overcome their confusedly poor latest record against Sunderland.
Additionally, the matches of Wigan vs. Manchester United, Manchester City vs. Huddersfield, Chelsea vs. Preston, Tottenham vs. Burnley, and Maidstone vs. Stevenage or Port Vale will be challenged in the FA Cup third round between January 5 and January 8.
Arsenal are scheduled to face Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup, while Newcastle will face north-east rivals Sunderland.
Arsenal, the game’s record 14-time champion, currently leads the Premier League position and will play title rivals Liverpool as the Premier League and Championship teams compete in the world’s oldest cup competition.
Tyne-Wear Derby Resurfaces, Manchester United’s Away Stint, and Exciting Fixtures Unveiled
Newcastle face Championship rivals and bitter rivals Sunderland in the first Tyne-Wear derby since 2016.
Manchester United have been drawn away in a domestic cup competition for the first time since 2021, as they head to League One side and 2013 FA Cup winners Wigan after being awarded 12 cup games in a row at Old Trafford.
United’s only English cup matches played away from home in the three seasons prior to this one were a two-leg Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest and last season’s FA Cup semi-final, as well as the finals in both tournaments at Wembley.
Manchester City have been granted a home game against Championship side Huddersfield, while Chelsea have been allocated a home game against second-tier competitors in Preston.
Tottenham and Burnley will play each other, as will Brentford and Wolves, with Everton heading to Crystal Palace.
South Division of the National League After eliminating Barrow in round two, Maidstone will face either Stevenage or Port Vale at home.
The third-round matches will be scheduled from January 5 to January 8.
