BBC Sport presenter explains how FA Cup draw ball numbers are determined

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All eyes will be on the FA Cup fourth round draw before Arsenal's tie with Leeds tonight.

There are still 42 clubs in the hat with a number of third round replays to be played as clubs keep their dreams of reaching Wembley alive.

The ball numbers have been confirmed from 1-32 as the sides get paired up for their next set of games.

Manchester United fans know to look out for the number 5 ball, Liverpool are watching for number 12 and Arsenal supporters are looking for number 28.

But just how is the order determined?

BBC Sport presenter Mark Chapman has now revealed all after the question was asked on social media - and the answer is quite simple.

Commentator Guy Mowbray wrote: "Not a fan of knowing the numbers before the draw. Don’t know why. But - can anyone enlighten me as to how the numbers are allocated? Genuinely have no idea."

Chapman quickly replied: "It’s the order the ties came out in the previous round. So Leicester v Wigan was the 1st one out."

The little-known method of determining the draw numbers makes sense - and there will be plenty of excitement as the numbers are drawn out this evening.

FA Cup holders Manchester City remain in the hat having seen off League Two Port Vale at the weekend.

Manchester United are still joined with Wolves as the two Premier League clubs face a replay after their 0-0 draw at the weekend.

Everton were dumped out by local rivals Liverpool, with fellow Premier League clubs such as Aston Villa and Brighton also dumped out.

Tottenham also need a replay against Middlesbrough but remain in the hat as Jose Mourinho eyes FA Cup glory.

Here's a run-down of tonight's ball numbers - decided by the order their third round ties were drawn.

FA Cup Fourth Round draw ball numbers

1 Leicester City

2 Queens Park Rangers

3 Fulham

4  Chelsea

5 Wolverhampton Wanderers or Manchester United

6 West Bromwich Albion

7 Rochdale or Newcastle United

8 Cardiff City or Carlisle United

9 Oxford United

10 Sheffield United

11 Southampton

12 Liverpool

13 Bristol City or Shrewsbury Town

14 AFC Bournemouth

15 Sheffield Wednesday

16 Bristol Rovers or Coventry City

17 Barnsley

18 Manchester City

19 Middlesbrough or Tottenham Hotspur

20 Reading or Blackpool

21 Watford or Tranmere Rovers

22 Norwich City

23 Millwall

24 Derby County

25 Hull City

26 Brentford

27 Portsmouth

28 Arsenal or Leeds United

29 West Ham United

30 Northampton Town

31 Burnley

32 Birmingham City