Watford vs Newcastle Match Preview.
(Picture - Sky Sports)
Could this be Watford's year? Will this be the season the Golden Boys go on a cup run?
Those will be the questions on many Watford fans lips this weekend as the Hornets enter the competition in the third round this weekend.
In recent years the FA Cup hasn't been kind to the Golden Boys, with the Hornets facing the team top of the Premier League in each of the past three seasons in the third or fourth round.
However, Steve McClaren's Newcastle United will be the visitors to Vicarage Road in the third round, in one of five all Premier League clashes in the competition.
Quique Sanchez Flores' men will have fond memories of the match between the two sides in the Premier League earlier this season at St James' Park. An Odion Ighalo double sealed a 2-1 victory for the Hornets, in what was their second victory of the season.
Since then the Golden Boys have gone from strength to strength and despite suffering back-to-back defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City recently, Quique Sanchez Flores' men still occupy ninth place in the top flight, in what has been a remarkable season to date.
Newcastle on the other hand, have steadily improved but two excellent victories over Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been followed by disappointing defeats to Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal, consequently meaning the Magpies languish in the relegation zone.
The Magpies are managed by Steve McClaren, who took over the managerial reigns in the summer of 2015, after he was sacked by Derby County.
Following a dismal start to the season, which saw the club not win a single one of their first eight Premier League games, results and performances have picked up slightly in recently weeks.
The Magpies were rather unfortunate to leave the Emirates Stadium last weekend empty handed, as they created a number of chances against Arsenal but failed to put them away.
Newcastle's key player at the weekend will be midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutch international midfielder has been a rare shining light for the Magpies this season, scoring seven goals in 21 appearances for Steve McClaren's side.
The midfielder has endeared himself to the St James' Park faithful with his tireless work ethic and powerful runs from midfield. He is one of Newcastle's creator's in chief and he will be key to their chances of beating the Hornets in the third round.
This weekend's game will be an intriguing affair at Vicarage Road.
With Quique Sanchez Flores promising changes to the Watford side, it will be interesting to see who comes in to the starting eleven and whether these players step up to the plate.
With Newcastle smarting from three consecutive defeats, they will be looking to bounce back with victory over the Golden Boys, so the Hornets will have to be on top of their game if they wish to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Team News
For Watford, Quique Sanchez Flores has said he will make changes to the Watford side. Nathan Ake is still suspended whilst Joel Ekstrand and Tommie Hoban are ruled out.
For Newcastle, Steve McClaren will be without the services of Jack Colback. Rolando Aarons and Emmanuel Riviere could return to the side.
Predicted Line-ups-
Watford - Arlauskis (GK), Nyom, Britos, Prodl, Holebas, Behrami, Watson, Anya, Jurado, Guedioura, Deeney ©.
Newcastle - Elliot (GK), Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini ©, Dummett, Sissoko, Tiote, De Jong, Wijnaldum, Perez, Mitrovic.
Referee - Roger East.