All eyes turn to Anfield this evening for the highly anticipated draw for the FA Cup fourth round. The ceremony, taking place at 6.35pm, follows a weekend of spectacular shocks that have redefined the magic of the world's oldest cup competition.
Gerrard and Cole Oversee Potential Upsets
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard will be joined by former England teammate Joe Cole to conduct the draw. It takes place just before Liverpool's own third-round clash against League One's Barnsley. However, the focus will firmly be on the remaining non-league outfits dreaming of a Premier League scalp.
The talk of the tournament is undoubtedly Macclesfield. The Silkmen, from the sixth tier, produced one of the greatest upsets in recent memory by defeating Championship holders Crystal Palace 2-1. Their reward is a place in the fourth-round pot, just 40 miles from Anfield, with the football world willing another fairy tale.
Banana Skins and Frozen Fixtures
Macclesfield are not the only potential giant-killers lying in wait for the 14 Premier League teams still involved. League Two's Salford City and Swindon Town are also in the hat, though they must first replay their third-round tie after the original fixture was postponed due to a frozen pitch.
Another club with proven pedigree in slaying top-flight opposition is Grimsby Town. The Mariners, who famously knocked Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup earlier this season, will be hoping for another glamour tie to continue their remarkable cup run.
By the Numbers: The Draw Pots
The ball numbers for some of the most-watched teams in tonight's draw are as follows:
- 30 - Macclesfield
- 20 - Salford City / Swindon Town
- 22 - Grimsby Town
- 7 - Wrexham
- 8 - Chelsea
- 9 - Manchester City
- 14 - Liverpool / Barnsley
- 17 - Arsenal
The stage is set for another chapter of FA Cup drama. With non-league heroes, postponed fixtures, and historic giant-killers all in the mix, tonight's draw promises to set up ties that will capture the imagination of fans across the country. Who will get the dream draw, and which Premier League giant will be handed a treacherous away day?
