The FA has confirmed the FA Cup third round schedule, which includes when Boro will face Blackburn.
Middlesbrough’s FA Cup third round match against Blackburn Rovers will start off at 12 p.m. on Saturday, January 11, despite not being selected by domestic broadcasters ITV or BBC. The two broadcasters selected seven third-round matches for live coverage on FA Cup third-round weekend.
There are also two games available to watch live on BBC iPlayer, while Cardiff City and Swansea City’s games against Sheffield United and Southampton are broadcast on BBC Wales.
Boro’s match against Blackburn has been moved from the regular Saturday 3 p.m. kick-off time to accommodate international broadcasters. It isn’t a popular decision, especially among Rovers fans who want to travel to Teesside for the game.
Blackburn have just recently played at the Riverside, winning 1-0. After Friday’s tie with Burnley, they are the only team in Boro’s previous six games to defeat Michael Carrick’s side. As a result, Boro will be eager to exact fast revenge on the Ewood Park team.
Carrick, who has drawn Premier League sides Brighton and Aston Villa in the previous two seasons, will be hoping to lead his team to the fourth round for the first time in his managerial career.To do so would net Boro £115,000, but they would receive £25,000 if they exited at the first opportunity.
The fact that Boro’s all-Championship encounter with Blackburn was not chosen as a domestic TV pick is hardly surprising. The following games were chosen: Everton v Peterborough, Aston Villa v West Ham, Liverpool v Accrington Stanley, Manchester City v Salford City, Tamworth v Tottenham, Arsenal v Manchester United, and Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge. Leeds United vs Harrogate Town and Newcastle United vs Bromley may be watched live on BBC iPlayer.
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