This year’s edition of the FA Cup has so far been one to remember. The third round brought us some classic cup ties, full of heartbreak, euphoria, dramatic turn-arounds and late winners turning nobodies into cult heroes. We also saw two non-league sides make it through in spectacular fashion. Let’s have a look at this weekend’s juiciest action!

SUTTON UNITED V LEEDS UNITED

As referred to in our previous FA Cup edition, Sutton United have a rich history in this competition, despite having never made it into the Football League. Their epic battle with local rivals AFC Wimbledon was one of the best third round ties in years, as the U’s came from behind in the final fifteen minutes to snatch victory in the replay.

Hosting Leeds this weekend will bring back some not-so-fond memories for the older batch of Sutton fans though. At this stage of the tournament in 1970, the South Londoners were on the end of a 6-0 hiding at home to Don Revie’s great Whites side, who were champions of England at the time. As Sutton chairman Bruce Elliot points out, this fixture “oozes nostalgia”.

This is going to be a mighty tough test again, as Leeds are flying high in the Championship – third in the table and with only one loss in nine. Sutton on the other hand sit 15th in the National League, and are the lowest-ranked side left in the tournament. But they will be keen to rewrite history here.

Match details: Gander Green Lane, Sunday 29th January, K.O 2pm (Live on BT Sport 2)

LINCOLN CITY V BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

The third-round’s other fairytale merchants, Lincoln City, host another of the Championship giants on Saturday. It is the first time the Imps have reached the fourth round since 1976, when the late Graham Taylor was at the helm, and their current manager Danny Cowley will be hoping he can take this team one step further than their old legend did. Their injury-time victory over Ipswich in the last round certainly got the romantics swooning!

The last time these sides met was in the FA Cup first round back in 2003. Brighton were chasing the play-offs in League One at the time, while Lincoln were still amongst the stalwarts of League Two. Lincoln won it 3-1, upsetting their opponents from one league above.

“We said before the last round that getting past Ipswich would be like climbing a mountain. Now we have to go to the moon” – Danny Cowley

They are now much further apart though, and this tie comes at a pivotal moment for both sides. Brighton are top of the Championship and are looking to return to the top flight for the first time since 1983. Lincoln, meanwhile, are top of the National League and hoping to get back into the Football League after a six year absence. If Lincoln can hold firm until half-time, belief will spread quickly around Sincil Bank.

Match details: Sincil Bank, Saturday 28th January, K.O 3pm (Highlights on Match of the Day, 10.30pm)

CHELSEA V BRENTFORD

Having not played each other competitively for 63 years between 1950 and 2013, this is now Chelsea and Brentford’s third meeting in five seasons. Just as well, given they’re only six miles apart!

This rare West London derby – and a friendly one at that – made for a good tie at this stage in 2013, as the Bees held the Blues 2-2 at Griffin Park, with Fernando Torres scoring a late equaliser. The replay at Stamford Bridge however was an easy 4-0 for the then-cup holders, and Antonio Conte will be hoping for a repeat. Brentford will not be unconfident though after their 5-1 demolition of Eastleigh in the last round, and manager Dean Smith knows he has nothing to lose.

Bees fans will be hoping to see talisman Scott Hogan play on Saturday, as his absence in the face of a supposed £15million bid from West Ham has led to the club’s loss in league form. If they get their wish, we could have a game on our hands. If they can somehow get a win against the Premier League toppers, it will be their first victory over them since before the Second World War!

Match details: Stamford Bridge, Saturday 28th January, K.O 3pm (Highlights on Match of the Day, 10.30pm)

MILLWALL V WATFORD

A pick of the bunch for reasons other than FA Cup history – amazingly, these sides have never actually met in the FA Cup, despite playing each other 102 times since their first match-up in 1920. Rather, this is a game that will serve as a reminder of the power football still holds in English communities.

“This is a single victory at the moment, and we’re just on to the next battle now.” – Mickey Simpson, joint chairman of the Association of Millwall supporters

The game comes at the end of a week in which Lewisham Council scrapped plans to sell off land surrounding the Den and evict the club from their home. After years of controversy and heartache, the club and its fans can breathe a sigh of relief in the knowing they will likely not suffer the same fate as Wimbledon fifteen years ago.

Read how the controversy unfolded here

A win for the Lions here would be the icing on the cake, but they have only beaten the Hornets once in their previous 10 meetings. They put away Bournemouth 3-0 in the third round though, so you would not bet against it. Millwall boss Neil Harris also knows all about FA Cup runs, having been a key part of the Lions side which famously made it to the final in 2004. It would be a fitting way to end a week in which the club’s identity was decisively saved.

Match details: The Den, Sunday 29th January, KO 12pm (Live on BBC One)

Excited for the fourth round? Which games are you most looking forward to?

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