The FA Cup is back this weekend with the third round signalling the arrival of Premier League and Championship clubs. Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and holders Arsenal are all in action, hoping to avoid any upsets and make it through to the fourth round.
There is also the exciting prospect of a Merseyside derby, and a potential giant killing at Wembley where Tottenham host AFC Wimbledon.
Following the busy festive fixture list, the competition is likely to see many clubs offer young players a chance to shine. Here Sportsmail looks at 10 youngsters hoping to make an impression.
Antonio Conte’s changes may open the door to a return for 21-year-old Charly Musonda
Charly Musonda- Chelsea (vs Norwich)
After a run of five games in 14 days, including the breathless 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Wednesday night, Antonio Conte could ring the changes for Chelsea’s trip to Norwich.
That may open the door to a return for 21-year-old Musonda. The Belgian has been missing since early December because of a groin injury but impressed in the early rounds of the EFL Cup, scoring his first Chelsea goal in the win against Nottingham Forest.
The winger recently signed a new deal to keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2022, highlighting the club’s belief that he has the ability to become a first team regular.
Reiss Nelson is one of several players who have shone in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign
Reiss Nelson- Arsenal (vs Nottingham Forest)
18-year-old Nelson is one of several youngsters who have jumped at the chance to shine in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign, starring in all six games.
Primarily an attacking midfielder, Nelson’s opportunities so far have come at right wing back, and with Danny Welbeck, Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi all in need of game-time he may well be deployed in that position again at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
A good performance could see him force his way into Arsene Wenger’s Premier League plans, in the same way that Ainsley Maitland-Niles has on the opposite flank.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has impressed during Man City’s run to the EFL Cup semi-finals
Oleksandr Zinchenko- Manchester City (vs Burnley)
While Phil Foden is City’s greatest academy hope, Ukranian Zinchenko has returned from a loan spell at PSV and impressed during the run to the EFL Cup semi-finals.
With Benjamin Mendy still out injured and Fabian Delph in need of a rest, the versatile midfielder may once again feature as a makeshift left back against Burnley on Saturday.
On-loan Everton youngster Kieran Dowell was one of the stars of England’s U20 World Cup win
Kieran Dowell- Nottingham Forest (vs Arsenal)
On-loan Everton academy product Dowell was one of the stars of England’s U20 World Cup win, bagging a goal and two assists in the group stage and starting the final against Venezuela.
It is a mark of the 20-year-old’s quality that Everton have unsuccessfully attempted to recall him from his loan spell at Forest, where he has 8 goals in 26 appearances this season.
If he can inspire Forest to an upset against Premier League giants Arsenal this weekend, then Sam Allardyce may rue his absence even more.
Harvey Barnes spent the first half of this season at Barnsley, scoring five times in 23 games
Harvey Barnes- Leicester City (vs Fleetwood)
The 20-year-old spent the first half of this season on loan at Barnsley, scoring five times in 23 games, but was recalled on January 1 by Claude Puel, who says he wants Barnes around his first team.
The highly-rated winger was MK Dons’ Young Player of the Year while on loan last season, despite only joining in January, and was joint top scorer as England won the Toulon Tournament in the summer.
Barnes looks set to add to his sole Foxes appearance, which came in a 5-0 Champions League defeat to Porto, possibly beginning on Saturday lunchtime against Fleetwood.
Beni Baningime is one of several young players who have broken into the Everton first team
Beni Baningime- Everton (vs Liverpool)
Baningime has followed the likes of Jonjoe Kenny and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in breaking into the Everton first team squad this season.
Likened to N’Golo Kante for his tackling and work rate, Baningime has made five Premier League and three Europa League appearances for the Blues since making his debut at the end of October.
A Merseyside derby perhaps isn’t the ideal time for rotation, but Allardyce has already shown his faith in the 19-year-old by bringing him on for the final 40 minutes to help secure a huge point against Chelsea last month.
With Stoke City’s defensive injury crisis growing, Mark Hughes could turn to Josh Tymon, 18
Josh Tymon- Stoke City (vs Coventry)
Another member of England’s Toulon Tournament winning side, Tymon left Hull City in the summer following the club’s relegation.
His progress has stalled slightly, appearing just four times this season, including being picked in Mark Hughes’ controversial side for the 5-0 thrashing by Chelsea last month.
However, with the Potters’ defensive injury crisis growing, Hughes could turn to Tymon, 18, and the youngster will look to nail down a regular spot with the kind of performance that reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal during his Hull days.
Ryan Sessegnon has been earning rave reviews, but another to have impressed is Sheyi Ojo
Sheyi Ojo- Fulham (vs Southampton)
Teen-sensation Ryan Sessegnon has rightly been earning rave reviews at Craven Cottage but another youngster to have impressed is Liverpool loanee Ojo.
The 20-year-old joined this summer after a series of stellar cameos in England’s U20 World Cup win, most notably coming off the bench to inspire a 3-1 comeback win against Italy in the semi-finals.
Despite missing six weeks with a shoulder injury, the pacey winger has netted four times in 15 league appearances this term and will fancy his chances of sparking an upset here.
Mauricio Pochettino beat competition from PSG to bring in 19-year-old defender Juan Foyth
Juan Foyth- Tottenham (vs AFC Wimbledon)
Mauricio Pochettino beat competition from PSG to bring the 19-year-old with ‘massive potential’ to North London, and he should feature here if Spurs’ star names are given the day off.
The £8m defender made his debut in the EFL Cup earlier this season and also featured in the Champions League, playing 90 minutes against Apoel Nicosia in Spurs’ dead rubber.
Though he has yet to make a Premier League appearance, he has been an unused substitute on 11 occasions and his chance surely cannot be far away.
Axel Tuanzebe made his first league appearance of the year against Everton on New Year’s Day
Axel Tuanzebe- Manchester United (vs Derby County)
After starting United’s final four games of last season Tuanzebe was touted as one of the potential breakout stars of this campaign, but he has been made to wait for his chance.
Jose Mourinho has preferred more senior players such as Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling at centre back, restricting the 20-year-old to just one start – in the EFL Cup – so far this term.
However, he returned to the squad on Boxing Day, made his first Premier League appearance of the year against Everton on New Year’s Day, and should be in contention on Friday night.