FA Cup 2021-22: Third round draw: Which balls are Bristol City and Rovers?

Bristol City and Bristol Rovers will tonight find out who they will play in the third round of the FA Cup.

City have automatically been given their place at this stage, whilst Rovers who play two levels below, have had to go through two rounds.

Joey Barton’s side overcame Oxford United in a dramatic replay, before defeating Sutton United from behind on Saturday.

This is the first time that the Gas have qualified for the third round in three consecutive seasons since 1968.

A total of 64 teams will take place in this round and with the draw open, there is always the possibility of a Bristol Derby. The two sides haven’t played each other competitively since an EFL Trophy match in 2013.

Alternatively, there could be a money-spinning match where one of the Premier League big boys comes to the Mem.

When will the draw take place?

Starting at 7.00 pm, before Boreham Wood and St Albans City kick off on ITV4.

Where can I watch it?

The draw will be shown on ITV4, as well as the FA’s social media feed. We’ll also be covering the draw here on BristolWorld via a live blog.

Who is the lowest ranked side left in the competition?

Unfortunately there isn’t as much magic in the Cup this year with no teams outside the Football League and the National League involved.

Kidderminster Harriers, fourth in the National League North are the lowest ranked side that has a confirmed place in the third round.

St Albans City meanwhile, eighth in the National League South, would take that accolade if they see off the challenge of Boreham Wood.

How much money can be won?

Bristol Rovers have already pocketed £56,629 for their wins over Oxford and Sutton.

If either City or Rovers win their next round match then they will get £82,000, but could receive more if they are chosen for television.

When are the matches likely to be played?

Anytime between Friday, January 7, and Monday, January 10, with both BBC and ITV holding the rights to the competition, they will decide which fixture stands out best to them.

Rovers were due to play Barrow in League Two that weekend but it will now be rearranged whilst for City it was always a weekend that was available on the footballing calendar.

The draw numbers

1 Bournemouth

2 Arsenal

3 Aston Villa

4 Barnsley

5 Birmingham City

6 Blackburn Rovers

7 Blackpool

8 Brentford

9 Brighton & Hove Albion

10 Bristol City

11 Burnley

12 Cardiff City

13 Chelsea

14 Coventry City

15 Crystal Palace

16 Derby County

17 Everton

18 Fulham

19 Huddersfield Town

20 Hull City

21 Leeds United

22 Leicester City

23 Liverpool

24 Luton Town

25 Manchester City

26 Manchester United

27 Middlesbrough

28 Millwall

29 Newcastle United

30 Norwich City

31 Nottingham Forest

32 Peterborough United

33 Preston North End

34 Queens Park Rangers

35 Reading

36 Sheffield United

37 Southampton

38 Stoke City

39 Swansea City

40 Tottenham Hotspur

41 Watford

42 West Bromwich Albion

43 West Ham United

44 Wolverhampton Wanderers

45 Yeovil Town

46 Bristol Rovers

47 Port Vale

48 Morecambe

49 Hartlepool United

50 AFC Wimbledon

51 Wigan Athletic

52 Leyton Orient

53 Cambridge United

54 Mansfield Town

55 Swindon Town

56 Rotherham United

57 Charlton Athletic

58 Boreham Wood or St Albans City

59 Kidderminster Harriers

60 Shrewsbury Town

61 Chesterfield

62 Plymouth Argyle

63 Ipswich Town or Barrow

64 Harrogate Town