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Michael Owens FA Cup predictions, including Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal

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Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all in action (Pictures: Getty)

The third round of the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend and Michael Owen has looked ahead to all the big ties.

Chelsea won their eighth FA Cup last year and the holders face Championship outfit Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Premier League leaders Liverpool visit Wolves while their nearest challengers at the top of the table, Manchester City, welcome Rotherham to the Etihad.

Arsenal make the long trip to Blackpool and revitalised Manchester United face struggling Championship club Reading at Old Trafford.

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Bournemouth v Brighton

The last time Bournemouth beat a top-flight side in the FA Cup was back in 1984 when Harry Redknapps Cherries knocked Manchester United out 2-0 at this same stage of the competition.

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The Seagulls got a good draw at the City of London Stadium midweek, but the Cherries had 12 shots on goal – the most they have had in the Premier League – in coming back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to get a point against Watford on Wednesday evening and I fancy the Cherries to edge an open and competitive tie.

Michaels Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton

Burnley v Barnsley

Burnley picked up an excellent three points at the John Smiths Stadium midweek and Sean Dyches side are taken to win this battle of the Roses at Turf Moor.

The Tykes are 11 points behind Portsmouth in League One and promotion back to the Championship must be Barnsleys priority although they will take an army of travelling spectators across the Pennines to East Lancashire.

Michaels Prediction: Burnley 1-0 Barnsley

Manchester United v Reading

United have lost just one of their 14 FA Cup ties against Reading and that was back in 1927!

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer became just the second United manager after the legendary Sir Matt Busby (1946) to win his first four league games in charge of the Red Devils when his side won at St Jamess Park midweek.

United look full of goals and confidence at present and I would expect to see an emphatic home win at Old Trafford against the Royals.

Michaels Prediction: Manchester United 4-0 Reading

Manchester United have improved following Jose Mourinhos sacking (Picture: Getty)

Newcastle United v Blackburn Rovers

United have lost eight of their 11 Premier League home games this season and it is sure to be a nervy St Jamess Park if the Magpies cant get an early goal against their Championship opposition.

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Rovers have won six of their last eight visits to St Jamess Park in all competitions, but I saw enough against Manchester United earlier in the week to believe the hosts can get a welcome home win.

Michaels Prediction: Newcastle United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

West Ham v Birmingham City

West Ham have only scored once in their last four FA Cup ties, but I think they will have enough to reach the 4th Round against a Birmingham City side who are unbeaten in their last five and have been one of the surprise packages in the Championship this term.

City currently sit four points off a play-off spot and a promotion challenge must be Garry Monks priority in the second half of the season. That said the Blues have sold their full allocation and it promises to be a full-blooded Cup tie at the London Stadium.

Michaels Prediction: West Ham 3-1 Birmingham

Chelsea v Nottingham Forest

Chelsea face Spurs in the first-leg of their League Cup semi-final midweek and disappointed at Stamford Bridge over the Festive period, losing to Leicester and taking just a point from a goalless draw with Saints midweek.

Forest knocked out the holders (Arsenal) at this corresponding stage last season, but that was at the City Ground and Chelsea have not exited the competition at the 3rd Round stage since 1998. Chelsea to qualify at the first time of asking.

Michaels Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Nottingham Forest

Chelsea are the FA Cup holders (Picture: Getty)

Blackpool v Arsenal

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine games against Blackpool and they knocked the Tangerines out of the League Cup at the Emirates earlier in the season.

The Premier League side wont have things their own way at Bloomfield Road, but Arsenal have played well on the road so far this season, other than their recent Anfield nightmare, and no shock for me on the Lancashire coast.

Michaels Prediction: Blackpool 0-2 Arsenal

Bristol City v Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield are six points from safety after their home defeat to Burnley earlier in the week and I feel they will exit the FA Cup at Ashton Gate against an inform Robins side who have not lost since mid-November.

City have won their last two home games against the Terriers 4-0 (April 2016 & March 2017) but I expect Saturdays tie to be much closer – although the result the same.

Michaels Prediction: Bristol City 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Manchester City v Rotherham United

Somewhat surprisingly City have won just three of their last seven FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division, but the Millers have lost their last five FA Cup games and have conceded at least twice on each occasion.

I am writing this before Citys home Premier League game with Liverpool but, whatever the outcome of Thursdays fixture, I expect City to make serene progress against a Millers side whose main objective is to maintain their Championship status at the end of the season.

Michaels Prediction: Manchester City 5-0 Rotherham United

Manchester City will be buoyed by their recent victory over Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

Wolves v Liverpool

Wolves have lost five of their last seven Premier League games at Molineux – including a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool last month – and I expect the Reds to get their revenge for losing to Wolves in the competition 2-1 at Anfield a couple of seasons ago.

The Premier League title is Liverpools main objective, but they have such strength in depth that I feel the Reds are well equipped to make a bold bid for Cup glory this term.

Michaels Prediction: Wolves 0-1 Liverpool