English FA Cup Third Round Draw

[digg=http://digg.com/soccer/English_FA_Cup_Third_Round_Draw]The English Premier League clubs have entered the FA Cup via the competition’s third round draw.

Defending cup holders Chelsea FC will open their title defense against Championship outfit Watford while Arsenal and West Ham United will meet in an FA Cup London Derby.

Recently relegated Middlesbrough will play Premiership opposition for the first time since their fall from the top flight of English football when they meet draw specialists Manchester City.

Finally, Manchester United will play the winner of the Kettering Town / Leeds United return tie.

All FA Cup third round games will take place during the weekend of January 2nd / 3rd, 2010.

English FA Cup 2009/10 Third Round Draw

Tottenham v Peterborough United
Brentford v Doncaster Rovers
Middlesbrough v Manchester City
Stoke City v York City
Notts County v Forest Green Rovers
Huddersfield Town v West Bromwich Albion
Sheffield United v QPR
MK Dons v Burnley
Chelsea v Watford
Nottingham Forest v Birmingham City
Preston North End v Colchester United
West Ham United v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Blackburn Rovers
Portsmouth v Coventry City
Sunderland v Oxford United or Barrow
Wigan Athletic v Hull City
Everton v Carlisle United
Sheffield Wednesday v Crystal Palace
Tranmere Rovers or Aldershot Town v Wolves
Blackpool v Ipswich Town
Fulham v Swindon Town
Stockport County or Torquay v Brighton
Scunthorpe United v Barnsley
Southampton v Rotherham United or Luton Town
Bristol City v Cardiff City
Reading v Liverpool
Staines Town or Millwall v Derby County
Plymouth Argyle v Newcastle United
Leicester City v Swansea City
Bolton Wanderers v Lincoln City
Accrington Stanley or Barnet v Gillingham
Manchester United v Kettering Town or Leeds United