Arsenal are likely to rotate from their usual eleven here with this tie being sandwiched between games against Liverpool and Chelsea. I still think the Gunners will have enough to get over the line here, even without their star players, with Mikel Arteta’s side now having real quality options in reserve after their successful business in the summer transfer window.

Arsenal are built to be a cup side, and have already had deep runs in the Champions League and the EFL Cup over the last two seasons - with the clash against Chelsea to come during the week marking consecutive semi-final appearances in the EFL Cup for the Gunners. This success is built on a solid defensive base that Portsmouth are likely to struggle to breakdown, with John Mousinho’s side only scoring 14 goals across their 13 home games in the Championship this term.

Portsmouth come into this game on the back of a bruising 5-0 defeat at the hands of Bristol City, which was a result that will have damaged their confidence ahead of welcoming Premier League opposition. Arsenal should be able to get the job done with their backup squad here, and do have star quality in reserve, should the assignment prove more difficult than it looks on paper.

This has the makings of a tie which could see an upset, with Norwich currently sitting 22nd in the Championship, one point from safety. Norwich travel to Wrexham and then West Brom after this cup tie, so their focus is likely to be on their league duties, with the Canaries in a vulnerable position.

What is particularly notable about Norwich’s performances this season is how poor they've been at home. Phillipe Clement’s side have won just three of their 13 home matches in the Championship this term, losing nine of these games - the joint most in the second division this term, alongside Sheffield Wednesday.

Norwich have conceded 19 goals across these matches, potentially offering real hope to Walsall when it comes to getting on the scoresheet. Walsall sit third in League Two and have notably netted 17 goals across their 12 away matches in the division this term. This is obviously a step up in the quality of their opposition, but Walsall can take advantage of the low levels of confidence currently surrounding Carrow Road.

A London Derby in the third round of the FA Cup is the last thing that West Ham need at the moment, with the Hammers’ situation in the Premier League looking increasingly perilous. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side find themselves eight points from safety following their 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium last time out - which was a game that West Ham simply couldn’t afford to lose.

Despite their shocking recent form, goals have been common in West Ham’s matches, with 2+ goals landing in four of their last five matches across all competitions. West Ham may have to score more than once to guarantee progression to the next round here, with QPR sure to be encouraged by the poor form of the Hammers - and potentially taking advantage of West Ham’s focus being on their league campaign.

QPR have seen 2+ goals in each of their last five matches across all competitions, and come into this clash having put three goals past Sheffield Wednesday.

Darren Fletcher’s first game in charge as interim head coach saw BTTS as Man United drew 2-2 with Burnley - marking the fourth occasion across their last five matches where United have seen BTTS. The only game in which they managed to keep a clean sheet in this period was a 1-0 win over Newcastle, with that being just their second shut out of the Premier League season so far.

Man United had 30 shots in that draw against Burnley, suggesting that Fletcher is setting up the side in a similar mould to United sides of the past - with the team focused on fast and direct attacks. This leaves them vulnerable at the back, opening up the door for BTTS in this FA Cup third round clash.

Brighton saw BTTS in their most recent assignment as they earned a point at the Etihad in a 1-1 draw. BTTS landed in the earlier meeting between these sides in the Premier League, too, with United running out 4-2 winners on that occasion.

I’d anticipate more chaos here, with Darren Fletcher showing no signs of going with a conservative approach. Each of the last three head-to-head meetings between these sides have seen BTTS, with Brighton notably winning two of these games.