06 January 2024 , 06:15
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The FA Cup third round is already underway and Arsenal are being tipped to progress in their heavyweight clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp's teams will lock horns again at the Emirates at 4.30pm on Sunday afternoon, and despite the Premier League representing their biggest priority, both managers will want to lay down a marker. And according to the supercomputer by OLBG, Arteta's side have a 48 per cent chance of victory, with the away side's chances rated at 30 per cent.
Perhaps that prediction isn't a shock given the enforced absence of Mo Salah, but there is one major shock predicted. Championship side Sunderland are 40 per cent to leave north-east rivals Newcastle stunned at the Stadium of Light, with Eddie Howe's team only given a 33 per cent chance.
Holders Manchester City (97 per cent chance of winning) aren't expected to have any problems with Huddersfield Town (2 per cent) on Sunday, with Man United (80 per cent) also heavily fancied to prevail at Wigan (8 per cent) the following night.
Chelsea are another team to be made resounding favourites, given an 85 per cent rating at home to Preston North End (7 per cent). And Brighton (66 per cent) are tipped to join them in round four, despite a potential banana skin tie at Stoke (17 per cent).
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And five more Premier League sides are also being backed, with Unai Emery's Aston Villa given a 65 per cent chance of winning at Middlesbrough (17 per cent). That's despite Michael Carrick's side already proving their cup credentials this season by reaching the final four of the League Cup.
Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta will be head-to-head again on Sunday (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Who will win the FA Cup? Comment below.
Bournemouth (65 per cent) aren't expected top struggle at QPR, with Luton at 64 per cent to get past Bolton. Nottingham Forest are backed to beat Blackpool (13 per cent), while West Ham are overwhelming favourites against Bristol City.
The supercomputer still has time for romance though. The lowest-ranked team in the tournament, Maidstone United (44 per cent), are also thought to be going through to the fourth round, backed to surprise Stevenage. And Gillingham (45 per cent) are seemingly given a great chance of piling more misery on Sheffield United.
Elsewhere Ipswich, Coventry City, Leicester City, Blackburn Rovers, Hull City, Newport County, Bristol Rovers, Plymouth Argyle, Southampton, Watford, Sheffield Wednesday, and Swansea are all backed to negotiate their ties. According to the supercomputer, Peterborough, Wrexham, and West Brom fans can also get excited about the prospect of progression.