SE Dons vs Erith Town - FA Cup

Season-defining implications hang over this FA Cup clash at the home ground, where SE Dons host Erith Town on September 5, 2026 knowing the result could shape the run-in for both clubs. That coronation came from City's £116m summer signing Elliot Anderson - and has been hotly debated in the build-up to the Manchester derby Super Sunday showdown at Old Trafford, which you can watch live on Sky Sports.

The standings paint a clear picture: SE Dons in 86th, Erith Town in 189th, and both keen to climb. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Erith Town will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. He was sacked by Fiorentina after Che Adams' late goal for Torino left them bottom of the Serie A table with three defeats out of three.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. SE Dons will look to impose their style on home soil, while Erith Town are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. Andoni Iraola, like Luis Enrique, is a coach who demands that his players press high.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Bournemouth have completed the signing of Portugal international defender Antonio Silva from Benfica.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. On balance, SE Dons look well-placed to claim all three points, and a 2-1 home win would not come as a surprise. Whatever the outcome, the FA Cup fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. A more central role appears likely given the sale of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United and the anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Amadou Onana at the World Cup.