The third round of the Sports Direct brings seven sides plotting a big upset, while many eyes will be on the only all-Premier Division tie as league leaders Shelbourne host Galway United.
Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk are out of the competition as this early stage and leaves the door open for teams in both divisions to bring home.
Apart from the tie in Tolka Park, many of the encounters will have a strong favourite before kick-off.
Galway United have won the the FAI Cup just once in their history.
The draw was not kind to them in this last-16 tie but John Caulfield's record in this competition is very strong.
The Reds have not been firing in their last couple of matches, while United put in a solid display against St Pat's last Sunday.
All three league games have been keenly contested.
Reds boss Damien Duff is wary of United: "They have a brilliant and highly effective style of play. We reviewed it on Thursday morning and touched on it throughout the week. We know how good they are; they've earned respect in this division.
"John and Ollie know this league better than I do; they’re as tough as anyone to face, whether at home or away. We’ve had two big scares at home, and then away we were beaten, and they fully deserved that win. We know how hard this will be; it’s one of the toughest teams in the country.
"We need to be effective at both ends of the pitch. It is a cliché, but it can ring true; in a cup match, form is not important—anything can happen. Before last week’s match, we emphasised no more gifts, but we still conceded two. Impact at the top end matters more than patterns of play and lovely football; that’s the business end of the season."
Just Derry and Cork City of the competition winners in the last decade remaining in this year's renewal, and sure enough they will meet at Turner's Cross this evening in what will certainly have the biggest attendance this week.
The Rebels are just weeks away from clinching a return to the Premier after a dominant season in the second tier.
The additions of Sean Maguire and Ruairi Keating certainly has their supporters excited and they will turn out in big numbers hoping to see an upset against a misfiring Candystripes.
Derry may welcome a break from the league after last week's draw with Dundalk. Results were favourable elsewhere, so they are very much in the hunt for a double, all while there remains questions over their performance levels in recent weeks.
A victory over St Pat's in this competition has been the only highlight of the last week.
Prior to the a defeat in Sligo, Ruaidhri Higgins' side looking like they were gearing up for a strong final third of the year.
Their exit from Europe and league form has been grating on everyone at the Brandywell and this will know they are entering into a difficult tie against opposition ready to be tested against a stronger opponent.
Higgins has described Cork as a Premier Division side.
"It's a big one, and something to look forward to.
"It's a difficult venue, we all know how hard it is to get results in Turner's Cross, but we'll go there confident and try and do the business.
"They are a Premier Division team, playing in the First Division. They've obviously signed really well and they've had a really good season. They'll be playing in the Premier Division again next year, and rightly so, they're too big of a club to be where they are, and I think for me they're one of the biggest clubs in Ireland.
"We'll treat them with the respect they deserve, we'll prepare the way that we prepare for every single game, do our homework. [Our scout] been to see them live twice, a couple of long journeys for him. It's a difficult task, but we'll be prepared properly."
The Markets Field hosts a very unique tie as Treaty United take on leading Limerick non-league side Pike Rovers take on in a derby clash.
There will be huge interest in a city with a great football tradition and intrigue to see how Pike can fare against the First Division side.
Waterford FC will hope to continue their brilliant season when they take on Athlone Town at the RSC.
Now sitting in third place, Europe remains the target for the Blues whether it can come from the league or this competition.
Keith Long has experienced heartbreak in this competition with Bohs so to end Waterford's 44-year wait to lift the trophy would be so sweet.
Town suffered a setback last Monday when throwing away a two-goal lead against Wexford.
Ironicaly the Blues matched that feat in Dalymount Park last Friday and they will come into this game with lots of confidence.
The last two non-league sides will need to do
The remaining two sides sees Sligo Rovers host UCD in The Showgrounds on Saturday night.
Sligo are the in-form side in the country with eight wins in 12 games in all competitions.
College will fancy putting it up to the Bit O' Red, however. They've been excellent on the road this year with just a single defeat in 14 games.
If there is to be one upset, it could come here, but there will also be real trepidation for struggling Bohemians as they take on Kerry FC for the first time on Sunday.
With just two wins in their last 15 matches, the Bohs fans reacted angrily to a capitulaiton against Waterford in the last league game.
Boos rang out at full-time and they are in need of points when the league rolls around again.
The Cup offers them a chance for redemption in the season. Shamrock Rovers have lodged an appeal over the FAI's decision to reject their protest over Dawson Devoy eligibility in the last round. That is likely to be held today.
Mounthawk Park will be sold out for the biggest occasion since the formation of the club.
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