Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite (left) and Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta vie for the ball, during the English FA Cup third round soccer match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park, London, on Jan 4, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

MADRID - The third round of the FA Cup kicks off on Thursday with a clash between two Premier League teams who have had a difficult first half of the season, as Crystal Palace faces Everton.

Palace's 3-1 win at home to Brentford on Dec 30, boosted coach Roy Hodgson's position as manager, who has come under increasing pressure with rumors of a possible replacement being lined up.

Progress in the cup would certainly help Hodgson's cause and with his side six points above the relegation zone, he may be tempted to field his strongest possible starting 11.

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A 10-point penalty for financial fair-play irregularities leaves Everton just a point above the drop zone after a difficult Christmas period saw it lose to Tottenham, Manchester City and Wolverhampton.

Sean Dyche's side looked jaded in its last defeat and the coach could be tempted to swap things around in an attempt to rest some tired legs ahead of a difficult second half to the league season.

Everton's Portuguese goalkeeper #12 Joao Virginia makes a save during the English FA Cup third round football match between Crystal Palace and Everton at Selhurst Park in south London on Jan 4, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

There are three matches on Friday with Brentford at home to Wolves, while Fulham is at home to second division (Championship) Rotherham United and Tottenham has another all-Premier League clash at home to struggling Burnley.

Brentford goes into its Cup tie after five consecutive league defeats have dragged it into the battle to avoid relegation, and coach Thomas Frank is short of options to change things around, with a long injury list and Yoane Wissa, Frank Onyeka and Saman Ghoddos all at the African Cup of Nations.

Tottenham loses its captain Son Heung-min to the Asian Cup, while Pape Sarr and Yves Bissouma are at the African Cup and Dejan Kulusevski is suspended for its game against second from bottom Burnley, who is more likely to focus on avoiding relegation.

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Fulham has also been hit by the African Cup with Alex Iwobi, Fode Ballo Toure and Calvin Bassey all missing out against the team that is bottom of the Championship and has big striker Tom Eaves as its main threat.

The bulk of the matches are played on Saturday and Sunday, with Arsenal's tie at home to Liverpool and a return of the derby between Sunderland and Newcastle United, the standout games.