Five players to watch in FA Cup third round including ex-Man Utd star | Football | Sport
Jack Clarke – Sunderland
The first Wear-Tyne derby in eight years, Sunderland vs. Newcastle is one of the most exciting games this weekend. Newcastle’s run of poor form, with seven losses from their last eight games, presents a fantastic opportunity for the Championship side.
Forward Jack Clark will look to make the most of this opportunity, with the Black Cats’ top goalscorer tipped for a move to the Premier League with Sheffield United in the January transfer window.
Clarke has scored twelve goals and registered two assists so far this season, and is likely to add to that tally against the Magpies.
Sunderland vs Newcastle United will be broadcast live on ITV1, with kick-off at 12.45pm on Saturday.
Richarlison – Tottenham Hotspur
With Son Heung-min leaving to play in the Asian Cup this weekend, Richarlison will be burdened with the responsibility of being Tottenham Hotspur’s main goalscorer.
The Brazilian striker has performed well since moving back to the centre-forward position, scoring five goals in his last five Premier League games, but has benefitted from the service of Son on the left. The South Korean has also continued to chip in with goals over recent weeks, heaping even more responsibility on Richarlison.
This evening’s game against Burnley will be the forward’s first chance to prove that he can thrive without the Golden Boot winner.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Burnley will be broadcast live on ITV1, with kick-off at 8.00pm tonight.
Will Keane – Preston North End
Ex-Manchester United forward Will Keane will go up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend, for Preston North End’s first game against the Blues since 2010. Keane, whose brother Michael still plays for Everton, is the Lancashire club’s top goalscorer this season with six goals and two assists to his name.
Keane has history against Chelsea, too – the forward scored a hat-trick against the Blues for Manchester United in the second leg of the 2011/2012 under-18s FA Cup semi-final.
With Chelsea 10th in the Premier League table, Pochettino’s side have little to play for and will look to target the FA Cup matches.
Chelsea vs Preston North End will be broadcast live on BBC Red Button, with kick-off at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Paul Mullin – Wrexham
With League Two side Wrexham amassing attention since they were bought by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the FA Cup will be a fantastic opportunity to prove themselves against a higher calibre of opponent.
Striker Paul Mullin will be fired up for the Red Dragons’ trip to League One side Shrewsbury Town, with the forward racking up eleven goals and five assists this season.
Shrewsbury Town vs Wrexham will be broadcast live on S4C, with kick-off at 2.00pm on Sunday.
Harvey Elliott – Liverpool
With star player Mohamed Salah departing for AFCON this weekend, a spot in Liverpool’s right wing is opened up for Harvey Elliott. The 20-year-old has big shoes to fill, with Salah one of Liverpool’s most important assets since his signing in 2017, but has shown promise in his limited Premier League appearances so far this season.
A screamer away at Crystal Palace in the League suggests that the young winger can perform under pressure, and a tough game away at Arsenal is a brilliant opportunity for him to prove himself.
Arsenal vs Liverpool will be broadcast live on BBC One, with kick-off at 4.30pm on Sunday.