FA Cup third round: 10 things to look out for this weekend

Another Manchester City and Chelsea clash, plus Wrexham, Chesterfield and Boreham Wood flying non-league flag

THE GANG PLAY IN THE FA CUP: Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, Wrexham co-owners.  Picture: Lewis Storey/Getty Images

1) Strength in depth for Manchester City 

When Manchester City and Chelsea met in the FA Cup in 2016, a raft of injuries, a packed schedule and the need to prioritise a looming Champions League match and the League Cup final compelled Manuel Pellegrini to field five teenagers for full City debuts at Stamford Bridge. To nobody’s surprise, his callow side was walloped by their far more experienced hosts and Pellegrini went on to be replaced by one of the few Premier League or Championship managers who treat the world’s oldest cup competition with the utmost respect and seriousness. “It was honestly one of the proudest moments of my life,” said Guardiola of City’s emphatic 2019 Cup final win, although his team are likely to face far less feeble opposition when they welcome Chelsea. While neither Guardiola nor Graham Potter is likely to field full-strength sides, both have more than enough quality players in reserve to ensure a full-blooded contest. City’s astonishing strength in squad depth could prove crucial. Barry Glendenning