Surprisingly, there are no “all Premiership” ties for the third round and has set up more “Championship vs Premiership” matches than usual. Championship sides awarded a home tie against Premiership opposition have a good winning record in recent seasons and here are a few matches where an “upset” could be on the cards:

WBA vs Reading @ 3.40
Reading top the Championship table and are unbeaten away from home this season, winning nine and drawing five so far. Comparatively, the Baggies are hovering just above the Premiership relegation zone.

Sheff Wed @ 4.00 vs Charlton
Alan Curbishley’s side have a dismal record in the FA Cup against lower opposition, last season losing to Leicester, 2003/04 losing away at Gillingham and at home to Walsall in 2001/02. The Owls are finding life in the Championship tough and will do well to avoid relegation but a possible cup scalp could provide a welcome distraction.

Norwich @ 2.75 vs West Ham
Relegated from the Premiership last season, Norwich were expected to storm the division and return to the top flight at the first time of asking. This hasn’t happened but the Canaries are pressing for a play-off place. West Ham have had a solid season, sitting comfortably in the top 10 after their promotion in May, but will be without the injured Danny Gabbidon and may find their FA Cup campaign is a short one.

Ipswich @ 3.20 vs Portsmouth
Perrenial promotion contenders Ipswich Town are finding life hard this season and the new strike pairing of Sam Parkin and Nick Forster have not been firing on all cylinders. However, they will be up for the visit of Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth who are in dire straits in the Premiership and have won just twice on the road this season.

Watford @ 3.40 vs Bolton
Watford are mounting a surprise promotion challenge under new manager Adrian Boothroyd while Bolton are having another remarkable season and are in touching distance of a Champions League spot. However, the Trotters do not have the largest of squads and their extended involvement in the UEFA Cup may sap energy levels even further.

Hull @ 3.60 vs Aston Villa
Hull have found the step up to the Championship difficult following two successive promotions but are clear of the relegation places. They have been generally solid at home while opponents Aston Villa have been diabolical on their travels, winning just twice in the league and demolishing Wycombe 8-3 in the Carling Cup.

Millwall @ 4.00 vs Everton
After finishing 10th in the Championship the last two seasons and appearing in the final of the 2003/04 FA Cup, Millwall find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table. After last season’s heroics, Everton have themselves under achieved this term and have also flirted with relegation. Millwall held fellow struggling Birmingham to a 2-2 draw after extra time, losing on penalties, in the Carling Cup earlier this season and will fancy their chances against the Toffees.

Reading stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to 12 points with a professional victory over struggling Southampton on Friday evening.

The bookmakers were taking no chances and the Royals were a best-priced 4/9 to win their third match in a row and first half goals from Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle justified that decision. The Saints are now winless in six matches and could find themselves dragged into a relegation battle.

Sheffield United dropped more points with a goalless draw at Plymouth Argyle. Following their 4-1 drubbing at Brammall Lane by Watford in midweek, the Blades were 6/5 to win at Home Park but failed to break down the resolute Pilgrims.

Free scoring Watford hit four goals for the third match running with a crushing victory over Coventry City. Punters will have ploughed into the 5/6 available and the Hornets did not disappoint with goals from Ashley Young, Marlon Kings, Darius Henderson and Jay DeMerit.

Derby’s caretaker manager Terry Westley oversaw his second successive goalless draw at the expense of Leeds United. With just two wins in their last five matches Leeds are seeing their chances of automatic promotion fade.

Preston North End extended their unbeaten run to 24 matches with a thumping 5-1 win against floundering Luton Town. Billy Davies’ side were 8/11 before kick off and found themselves 2-0 up through Lewis Neal and David Nugent. An own goal from Tyrone Mears halved Preston’s lead on 82 minutes but he scored at the right end two minutes later. A stoppage time goal from Claude Davis and a penalty from Chris Sedgewick completed the rout.

Cardiff City boosted their play-off hopes with a convincing victory over Stoke City. A rocket from Kevin Cooper gave the 4/5 Bluebirds the lead after 18 minutes and further goals from veteran defender Neil Cox sealed the points.

Gary Waddock celebrated his first match in charge as QPR caretaker manager with a 1-0 win against struggling Millwall. Marc Nygaard’s goal after 56 minutes secured a 20/21 win but Millwall are now seven points from safety.

Leicester City recorded their third win under caretaker boss Rob Kelly as they edged away further from the relegation zone at the expense of third-from-bottom Brighton & Hove Albion. The Foxes, 9/5 before kick off, found themselves 2-0 ahead through Patrick McCarthy and Iain Hume before midfielder Alexandre Frutos pulled a goal back for Brighton.

Reading sealed the Championship title in emphatic fashion by crushing Derby County with five second-half goals. Royals backers on at 8/15 may have felt nervous until James Harper broke the deadlock after 59 minutes. Kevin Doyle on 65, John Oster on 70 and two from Shane Long after 74 and 83 minutes saw Steve Coppell’s side promoted to the Premier League in style.

Sheffield United are stuttering to automatic promotion as a hard-fought draw at Stoke City sent them seven points clear of third-placed Watford. On-loan Josip Skoko gave the Potters the lead after 16 minutes but Danny Webber’s equaliser seven minutes from time earned the Blades a vital point at 11/10.

Watford looked good to beat Crystal Palace on Friday night until a spectacular collapse in the second half dented their automatic promotion hopes. Marlon King gave the Hornets the lead after 28 minutes but Dougie Freedman levelled for Palace. Own goals from Jordan Stewart on 59 and Jay DeMerit four minutes from time secured a 5/4 Eagles victory at Selhurst Park.

Leeds United also received a blow in their bid for a runners up berth after losing to local rivals Hull City 1-0 at the KC Stadium. Jon Parkin headed in a winner for the 19/10 Tigers after 76 minutes which should ease his side’s relegation fears.

Preston North End took a giant step to securing the final play-off spot with a 1-0 victory at Coventry City which ended the Sky Blues’ 12-match unbeaten run. Simon Whaley scored his first goal for the 2/1 Lillywhites following his move from Bury.

Play-off chasing Wolves slumped to a 2-0 defeat at mid-table Plymouth Argyle. Hasney Aljofree opened the scoring for the 8/5 Pilgrims after nine minutes while an own goal from veteran campaigner Paul Ince 10 minutes from the end ensured a miserable day for Glenn Hoddle’s side.

Cardiff City also saw their play-off hopes fade after a 3-2 defeat at Southampton. Claus Lundekvam gave Saints the lead two minutes after the break but Cameron Jerome levelled for Cardiff on 54. A brace from Ricardo Fuller after 70 and 75 minutes put the 6/4 Saints into the driving seat before Darren Purse scored a consolation.

Bottom club Crewe Alexander kept their slender hopes of survival alive with a 2-1 victory at QPR. Kenny Lunt after 39 minutes and David Vaughan on 73 secured three precious points for the 10/3 Alex before Gareth Ainsworth scored a consolation.

Brighton & Hove Albion registered the second away win to give them a slim hope of avoiding relegation but hindered Millwall’s own cause in the process. Albion, 13/5 on the day, performed a smash-and-grab with Paul Reid netting the first after six minutes and Paul McShane grabbing second on 11.