Middlesbrough's FA Cup third round clash with Fulham at Craven Cottage will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday, January 10, it has been confirmed.
In-form Boro were drawn to take on the Cottagers last week. And while we knew the tie would be played sometime that weekend, the exact date and time was dependent on broadcast picks.
On Friday last week, UK broadcasters BBC and TNT Sports picked eight ties from the third-round draw that will be shown live on TV. Boro's trip to Fulham was not one of them.
But, as was the case last season, that did not confirm the traditional Saturday 3pm kick-off, with international broadcasters selecting Boro's tie with Blackburn Rovers for an earlier 12pm kick-off last term.
Alas, confirmation came on Monday that international broadcasters had not selected Boro's cup tie either, and we now know for certain that Fulham vs Boro in the FA Cup third round, will take place at 3pm on Saturday, January 10.
The game will be Kim Hellberg's first taste of the FA Cup. Though he's not publicly commented yet, his prior revelations of growing up watching English football means he's likely to be endeared to the rich history of the FA Cup.
But recent history has not been so kind to 1997 finalists Boro. After reaching the quarter finals in 2022, they've exited at this stage in each of the last three campaigns.
Making their task even harder, they play Premier League outfit Fulham who, in four years under boss Marco Silva, have never exited at this first stage for first and second tier sides.
Silva's side have even reached the last eight in two of the last three years, with Boro heading to the capital early in the new year hoping to cause an upset.
Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace (12.15pm BBC One, TNT Sports)
Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town (2.30pm, Discovery+)
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