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Charlie Nicholas is expecting upsets in the FA Cup third round

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for the FA Cup third round and explains which Premier League clubs are likely to suffer losses.
Charlie does not see any of this season's favourites crashing out of the competition at the first hurdle, but he is anticipating struggles for several top-flight sides, while tipping a Sky Bet League One side to cause an upset.
Here is what the Soccer Saturday pundit is predicting for some of the weekend's tighter ties, plus his bankers of the round...

Premier League pain

Newcastle v Luton
After a great result at Stoke I'm expecting Rafael Benitez to make changes given it has only put Newcastle two points above the drop zone. He's not got a big squad and they don't score a lot of goals, so the idea of a comfortable afternoon is foreign for the St James' Park faithful.
In contrast all we hear with Luton is they're scoring four or five. They also have their problems defensively and will come to attack so I'm going for them to get a replay here in what is a really awkward one for Newcastle right now.
Charlie predicts: 2-2 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
Wolves v Swansea
I'm not surprised Wolves are favourites here. Carlos Carvalhal doesn't really know his players and he's been brought in with the directive of fighting relegation, so I would expect him to mix things up.
Wolves have got bags of goals in them and are that far clear in the Sky Bet Championship that they can have a real go here, so I'm backing them to win this one comfortably.
Charlie predicts: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Fulham v Southampton
I think this could be the final game for Mauricio Pellegrino. The only player he's lost is Virgil van Dijk so there are no real excuses for how disappointing Southampton have been.
Manolo Gabbiadini doesn't look like he knows what the manager wants from him and I think they'd take Ronald Koeman back in a heartbeat, although I'm not sure the fans would be happy with that.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 (9/1 with Sky Bet)

Potential banana skins

Carlisle v Sheffield Wednesday
Carlisle will be smelling blood here as Sheffield Wednesday just look like they've gone into meltdown.
Their players collapsed when they lost the derby, they've never recovered from it and they have no idea who is in their best XI. It will be cold and windy and Keith Curle will have the Cumbrians pumped up for it.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Coventry v Stoke
Coventry could certainly do with the finances from winning this, but I just think with the anger within Mark Hughes he won't be letting anybody rest.
He made his changes at Chelsea, which backfired, and I think if he does that again and they lose here that will be him done. The FA Cup has never been a priority for them but suddenly it is a huge game and I think they'll grind out a win.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Shrewsbury v West Ham
This is difficult for West Ham because this is the last thing they need after their back-to-back games and the lack of numbers David Moyes is down to.
It could be a troubling day for them and you worry whether they'll able to match their hosts' energy after tough games on Tuesday and Thursday.
Charlie predicts: 1-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
I am concerned about Arsenal here. Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Alexandre Lacazette won't play but the real concern is that defence. Per Mertesacker will come back in because Calum Chambers is absolutely broken.

I'd still expect Arsenal to progress with Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott good enough and experienced enough to get them through what looks a very awkward clash.
Charlie predicts: 2-3 (22/1 with Sky Bet)

Home bankers

Liverpool struggled to break down Everton without Philippe Coutinho last time they met in the Premier League - and they're also going to be without leading scorer Mohamed Salah.
However, Sam Allardyce will make changes and I think, other than his two key men missing, Jurgen Klopp will play a strong side so I don't see the match panning out the same.
Charlie predicts: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
Manchester United v Derby
These are two clubs in similar positions in their respective leagues with very different levels of interest in this competition. Jose Mourinho's hunger for trophies is irrepressible and he knows if he lands a couple more then nobody can have a go at him.
Derby might not want to lose momentum by getting a thumping here but promotion is the solitary objective for them this season and they'll be more interested in next weekend's trip to Birmingham.
Charlie predicts: 2-0 (4/1 with Sky Bet)
Manchester City v Burnley
Burnley made just one change to their team over the New Year and that last-gasp defeat to Liverpool must have knocked the stuffing out of them, so the last thing they need is a trip Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola can rotate again and still have enough quality, so I can only see the juggernaut rolling on here.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
One of Tottenham's biggest problems this season is opposition sides raising their levels for the trip to Wembley but, while it will be a great away day for the fans, it is one hell of a bridge to gap for a side sitting just outside the Sky Bet League One relegation places.

Mauricio Pochettino will make changes but has options to do so with several players coming back from injuries and they've certainly had their critics for the way they crashed out of the Carabao Cup, so I can't see anything other than an emphatic home win here.
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