All you need to know about the FA Cup third round TV picks

Arsenal and Liverpool's blockbuster clash is one of six FA Cup third round matches to be selected for live TV coverage.

We have rounded up everything you need to know about the chosen ties, how you can watch them and which other fixtures to look out for.

When is the FA Cup third round?

The third round of the 2023-24 FA Cup is scheduled to take place across five days between January 4 and January 8.

As usual, any clashes that finish level after 90 minutes will need to be settled by a replay — likely to take place a week or two after the initial meeting.

Reports suggest plans are in place to scrap third and fourth round replays in the FA Cup from the 2024-25 season, though there has yet to be any official confirmation.

Which FA Cup third round ties are being televised?

This season's FA Cup third round action will unusually kick off on a Thursday evening, with Crystal Palace hosting Everton on January 4.

Another all-Premier League affair is on the box as Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham welcome Burnley a day later.

Saturday lunchtime has been reserved for the hotly anticipated Tyne-Wear derby between Sunderland and Newcastle as the rivals lock horns for the first time in nearly eight years.

Staying in the North East, Middlesbrough will entertain high-flying Aston Villa on Saturday evening, before Arsenal and Liverpool's aforementioned Sunday showdown.

The sixth and final clash to be televised sees League One Wigan, who lifted the Cup in 2013, take on 12-time winners Manchester United at the DW Stadium on the Monday night.

FA Cup third round TV schedule in full:

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Crystal Palace vs Everton (8pm, ITV4)

Friday, January 5, 2024

Tottenham vs Burnley (8pm, ITV1)

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Sunderland vs Newcastle (12.45pm, ITV1)

Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa (5.30pm, BBC One)

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Arsenal vs Liverpool (4.30pm, BBC One)

Monday, January 8, 2024

Wigan vs Manchester United (8.15pm, ITV1)

What are the big stories to look out for in the FA Cup third round?

In terms of pedigree, Arsenal and Liverpool's third-round meeting is a colossal clash with the sides having lifted 22 FA Cups between them.

However, it remains to be seen how seriously both sides will take this fixture given their promising starts to the Premier League campaign.

There will be no half measures at the Stadium of Light when Sunderland and Newcastle renew rivalries, with the Black Cats eyeing an almighty upset.

The second-tier hosts will be huge underdogs against their wealthy visitors but are unbeaten in the last nine head-to-head meetings — winning six of those.

Wigan will be hoping to pull off a giant-killing against United but there are even smaller sides who hold hopes of making history in round three.

National League South side Maidstone will host one of League One duo Stevenage or Port Vale, while League Two side Newport will take on non-league opposition in either Barnet or Eastleigh.

Regardless of how those fixtures pan out, minnows are guaranteed to feature in round four.