FA Cup draw pitches Arsenal against Hull in repeat final

Last season’s FA Cup finalists, Arsenal and Hull City will meet again in the third round, having been drawn against each other, with Coral offering the Gunners at 15/2 to retain the trophy.

The Tigers, meanwhile, are long 66/1 chances; however, they were also drawn against the north London club in the rehearsal.

Hull manager Steve Bruce was present for the draw, which was held in the Humberside city at The Deep Aquarium.

“As soon as we walked in everyone told us we were drawn against Arsenal in the rehearsal. For it to happen again is amazing,” said Bruce.

Manchester United, though, have only won the trophy once since the turn of the century; nonetheless, they will have to wait until mid-December until they know their opponents, with Accrington Stanley or Yeovil Town waiting in the wings. Louis van Gaal’s side are 6/1 chances to win the competition.

“You won’t get a replay with more on it than this,” said Accrington manager John Coleman. “Winning it and playing Manchester United could be the difference between being able to launch a challenge on getting promotion or not. It will ease any financial worries.”

The lowest ranked team in the competition, Blyth Spartans, priced at 10000/1 to lift the trophy, take on Birmingham City, who are 150/1 to victor themselves having never won it in their history, though appeared in the 1931 and 1956 finals.

Current Premier League leaders Chelsea, who are 5/1 favourites to win the competition for the eighth time, face Watford, while the current champions of England, Manchester City (6/1 to win) take on Sheffield Wednesday who sit sixth in the Championship.

Full Third Round FA Cup Draw