Leeds relish Old Trafford trip

This weekend, League One runaway leaders Leeds United play Manchester United in one of the 32 ties from the third round of the FA Cup.

Simon Grayson's Leeds, currently eight points clear at the top of the standings, are relishing the prospect of playing at Old Trafford as memories will flood back to the times that the Yorkshire club used to hog the limelight in the top flight of the English game.

It is indeed sad to watch a club like Leeds in the third tier of the English game, but the Whites look to be climbing back to regain their top status, with promotion to the Championship now a huge possibility.

Apart from the honour of facing the English champions, Leeds will also earn £750,000 in TV rights from the tie that will be broadcast live worldwide.

Grayson, formerly of Blackpool, admitted this week that the cup clash against Man. United will be very tough for his team.

He also emphasised that Leeds' main priority this season was to gain promotion.

In the Premier League, Manchester United are breathing down the neck of Chelsea after trimming the gap with the Premier League leaders to only two points following the 5-0 hiding of Wigan Athletic at home on Wednesday.

Next week, Man. United will be involved in another top clash when they face Manchester City in the first leg of the League Cup semi-finals.

The last time Manchester United and Leeds United faced each other in the FA Cup was in February 1995 when the Mancunians won the fifth round tie 3-1 (Bruce, Hughes, McClair − Yeboah) at Old Trafford.

Four Conference League sides are still in the competition - Barrow, Forest Green, Luton and York - and all are on their travels this weekend.

Barrow and York can count on a cash windfall as they face Premier League outfits Sunderland (at the Stadium of Light) and Stoke City (at the Britannia Stadium).

Luton will be at Championship side Southampton, while Forest Green travel to Meadow Lane to tackle Notts County.

York, in third place, are fighting for a return to the Football League, Luton are seventh, Barrow 16th but Forest Green are in the relegation zone. Luton saw off Football League members Rochdale and Rotherham in the previous rounds.

The third round draw produced three all-Premier League clashes.

The most intriguing tie of the round is the duel between West Ham and Arsenal at Upton Park tomorrow.

The two London rivals met in the Premiership at the same venue on October 25, featuring in a 2-2 draw (Cole, Diamanti − Van Persie, Gallas).

West Ham and Arsenal met on eight occasions in the FA Cup with six of these matches needing a replay to declare a winner. The Hammers lead the Gunners 5-3 and the most vital clash was the Wembley final of 1980, when the Hammers held the upper hand 1-0 through a Trevor Brooking goal.

In 1924-25, it was a marathon tie as the sides met three times with West Ham progressing to the second round with a 1-0 home win.

At Villa Park, Aston Villa host Blackburn today. These two teams met in the Premiership on September 28 at Ewood Park and the Rovers prevailed by the odd goal in three (Samba, Dunn − Agbonlahor).

Wigan Athletic and Hull City have cross swords at the Tigers' lair on October 3 in the league with the home side emerging victorious 2-1 (Vennegoor of Hesselink, Giovanni − Sinclair).

Both sides are entangled in the relegation zone and their main priority this season will be to retain their top-flight status.

Previous FA cup meetings:
1986-87 (fifth round): Wigan-Hull 3-0.
2002-03 (third round): Aston Villa-Blackburn 1-4.
1989-90 (third round): Villa won replay 3-2 at home after a 2-2 draw.
1979-80 (fifth round): Villa won replay 1-0 at home after a 1-1 draw.
1929-30 (fifth round): Aston Villa-Blackburn 4-1.
1922-23 (first round): Aston Villa-Blackburn 0-1.
1888-89 (third round): Blackburn-Aston Villa 8-1.

FA Cup holders Chelsea will give Carlo Ancelotti his debut in the famous cup competition against Watford at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues staged a remarkable comeback in their last Premier League outing, when they came from a goal down to beat Fulham 2-1.

Everton, who lost to Chelsea in last season's final, will be hoping for another good run as they start their exploits against League One side Carlisle at Goodison Park.

The two teams met twice before in the competition. Cambrian side Carlisle lost both ties at their own Brunton Park − 0-2 (1967-68 third round) and 2-4 (1929-30 third round).

One of the all-Championship ties this weekend is the match between Blackpool and Ipswich at Bloomfield Road.

Ipswich manager Roy Keane will be looking to make up for his side's inconsistent run in the league by a good performance in the cup.

Manchester City, who won both their Premier League matches under new coach Roberto Mancini, will travel to the north-east to play guests to Middlesbrough. Boro, under the regime of Gordon Strachan, have not found their footing yet, and are placed in mid-table.

After the disappointment of suffering relegation from the Premier League, Newcastle are having a great season as they are currently six points clear at the top of the Championship standings.

The Toon will play fellow Championship team Plymouth, managed by Paul Mariner, at Home Park.