The TV picks for the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup have been confirmed, seeing Wrexham’s home tie against Sheffield United selected for BBC One.
It is the latest step in the success of the National League side, helmed by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who are investing in players, as well as training and new stands off the pitch.
Beyond that clash between Wrexham and the Blades of the Championship, the other five matches selected for broadcast all feature top-flights sides at home or away.
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The magic of the FA Cup returns with six televised fourth round matches later in January
Friday January 27 sees ITV1 play host to the blockbuster match-up between Premier League leaders Arsenal and second-placed Manchester City at the Etihad.
The following day sees Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Deepdale shown on BBC One at 6pm, as Championship side Preston North End hope to spring an upset upon Antonio Conte’s Champions League contenders after beating Huddersfield 3-1.
Two hours later, Manchester United’s home tie against Championship club Reading is being shown on ITV4, as another of the Red Devils’ FA Cup games is televised, albeit on the smaller sister channel of ITV1.
On Sunday January 29, the 1.30pm kick-off sees Brighton & Hove Albion host the winner of the replay between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, which takes place on Tuesday January 17.
Wrexham will play their tie on BBC One after upsetting Championship Coventry in the FA Cup
Meanwhile, north Wales welcomes Championship high-fliers Sheffield United to the Racecourse Ground at 4.30pm, when Wrexham will want another victory in the vein of their exciting 4-3 win over fellow second-tier side Coventry City.
Monday evening’s showcase fixture sees David Moyes’ West Ham travel to Derby County in what could be a banana-skin fixture for the Premier League strugglers, as they head north to face the Rams of League One. That match is also on ITV4.
According to The FA’s website, each club involved in these ties will receive an additional £110,000 for the televised nature of their fixtures, as well as the income from the competition’s prize fund.
Said Benrahma got West Ham’s third round winner to set up an ITV4 date with Derby County
The confirmation of TV picks has not been universally accepted, with some frustrated that potential non-league sides in the fourth round, such as Boreham Wood and Chesterfield, have been overlooked in favour of the big guns.
With the draw made earlier this month, Walsall’s home tie with top-flight Leicester City and Stevenage’s trip to Stoke City – after ousting Aston Villa in the third round – are among those ties which have not been selected for broadcast at this time.
However, other arrangements may be made, with the BBC showing ties earlier this month on the Red Button in addition to their standard TV selections.
Last season, supporter groups reacted with fury at TV game times which made it impossible for travelling fans to get there by public transport, or leaving them unable to return after the final whistle.
Stevenage’s trip to Stoke City will not be shown on TV despite their shock win at Villa Park