Although the appeal of the English FA Cup is not what it used to be, the third round still produces one of the more entertaining weekends in English football, especially for clubs in the lower divisions.
It is the time the top flight clubs join the competition and there is nothing better than watching a tiny club taking on one of the giants -- it is the lifeblood of the competition.
The potential for upsets is enhanced because teams have just come through an intense period of games over the festive season and some Premier League managers may choose to rest their star players. It can be a risky strategy and last season eight Premier League clubs bit the dust in the third round, including Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa.
This year four non-league clubs have reached the third round, the lowest-ranked being Maidstone United from the sixth-tier National League South, who are at home to League One side Stevenage. In round two the Stones upset Barrow.
The current club was formed in 1992 after the original Maidstone United, which spent three years in the fourth tier of the Football League, went bankrupt. The new club was initially called Maidstone Invicta but adopted 'United' in 1997.
The Stones worked their way through the lower leagues before winning promotion to the National League South in 2015. After being promoted to the National League in 2015 they have experienced a mixture of relegations and promotions.
Three teams from the fifth-tier National League have made it to the third round including Aldershot who tomorrow face a formidable away trip to West Brom currently fifth in the Championship.
Aldershot, however, are capable of surprises. In the first round the Shots thrashed Swindon Town away 7-4. It was the first time a non-league club had scored seven against League opposition. In fact the score at one stage was an astonishing 7-0. It had manager Tommy Widdington reacting "that was barmy, unreal".
The second round saw another surprise when Aldershot upset League Two leaders Stockport County.
One team going into the Cup with confidence will be Chesterfield who are seven points clear at the top of the National League. However they face a tricky away game at Watford who are mid-table in the Championship.
Rounding off the non-league teams are Eastleigh who upset League One side Reading in the previous round and the Spitfires might fancy their chances away to Newport County.
There are plenty of other tasty Cup matches this weekend, the highlight being Arsenal hosting Liverpool tomorrow, a match neither side would have wanted as they concentrate on the league title chase.
Another big match is the Wear-Tyne derby where Sunderland will do everything they can to overcome arch-rivals Newcastle who have been stuttering of late. Just down the road on Teesside visiting Aston Villa face a tricky game against Middlesbrough.
The biggest potential for an upset could be at Gillingham where the League Two club take on Premier League cellar dwellers Sheffield United.
Cup holders Manchester City will be expected to see off struggling Huddersfield, but several Premier League teams face awkward away trips to Championship sides. Brighton have what could be a hazardous visit to Stoke City while Bournemouth will be tested at Queens Park Rangers. Manchester United also won't be taking lightly Monday's trip to third-tier Wigan Athletic.
Two other Premier League teams could face a tricky afternoon despite being at home. Unpredictable Chelsea can shake off some of the blues if they overcome visiting Present North End, while Luton Town expect a tough challenge from visiting Bolton Wanderers currently second in League One.