The teams are in the tunnel, and now are heading out on the pitch at Eastleigh

Rain is coming down but the pitch looks absolutely superb.

Not far away now.

Image source, Getty Images

Having to fight their way through the early 'proper' rounds of the FA Cup is a bit of a culture shock for Reading after 20 years or so of lording it in the top two divisions.

The Royals even made it to a Wembley semi-final back in 2015, where Arsenal needed extra time to see them off en route to lifting the trophy.

There is a 36-place gap between them and their National League opponents, but despite that, Reading's last game against non-league opposition ended in defeat by Kidderminster two years ago.

Things aren't all rosy in the Reading garden either, issues surrounding player and staff pay have been a distraction.

"Unfortunately the CEO made the decision to pay the players fully and the staff only partially because of the financial situation," boss Ruben Selles told BBC Radio Berkshire.

"We can understand because it means we don't get a points deduction, but in terms of human and moral things we know it is not the correct thing to do."

Gary Oliver: All seven London Premier clubs get a home draw; plus QPR, Millwall, and Wimbledon too.

Pilch in Shrewsbury: Wrexham at home for us Salopians. Nice they have finally made it to a standard to play us again.

Image source, Getty Images

Eastleigh boss Richard Hill had seen enough by 65 minutes of Reading's 5-1 League One victory over Carlisle United in midweek.

Hill managed to get a flier, having witnessed in his spying mission a side at their best, as his opposite number Ruben Selles has got the Royals on a three-game winning streak, scoring 12 goals in the process.

The 60-year-old's message to his players today was less about what Reading can do, which he is more than clear on, it was more about his side getting their detail correct.

"If we were to play Reading 10 times, they'll beat us nine. We need to make sure they don't beat us the 10th," Hill told BBC Radio Solent.

"We've got to come, be ready to play, play smart and make good decisions and make this an occasion for everyone connected with Eastleigh Football Club."

Eastleigh might be the lower-ranked side but they pack plenty of talent within their ranks. Scott Quigley was a big signing, Chris Maguire has been a maverick talent all his career and Enzio Boldewijn also has plenty of experience.

Reading have a youthful look about them but eight-goal Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is still included in the group.

Eastleigh:McDonnell, Francillette, Langston, Clements, Hodson, Taylor, Atangana, McCallum, Maguire, Boldewijn, Quigley.

Subs: Clampin, Barlow, Scott, Nwabuokei, Panter, Rutherford, Tshaka, Harris, Yang.

Reading: Joel Pereira, Mola, Holmes, Salif, Carson, Azeez, Craig, Savage, Elliott, Ehibhatiomhan, Knibbs.

Subs: Button, Dean, Smith, Mukairu, Hutchinson, Wing, Abbey, Rushesha, Vickers.

After all that excitement, it's easy to forget there's a game or two going on today.

Let's crack on.

Happy?

I know I'm a bit underwhelmed with my team's tie.

You might well be more impressed.

Get involved via the following means: #bbcfacup, via WhatsApp on 03301231826, or text to 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Wigan Athletic welcome Manchester United as well, and that will be a nice moneyspinner.

As for the non-league clubs, well, Maidstone at least have a home draw as they welcome Stevenage or Port Vale.

While it's not the glamour tie they might have hoped for, it is back at the Gallagher Stadium.

Eastleigh's carrot this afternoon is a possible game against Barnet or Newport, but again - it is a possible route to round four.

Ramsgate will hope to get beyond AFC Wimbledon to set-up a shot at Championship side Ipswich, and there's also potential second-tier opposition for Aldershot and Alfreton.

Right...

Couple of stand outs there!

Sunderland v Newcastle for starters, and Arsenal v Liverpool.

Soak it in.

Newport County or Barnet v Eastleigh or Reading

Hull City v Birmingham City

Plymouth Argyle v Sutton United

Maidstone United v Stevenage or Port Vale

Coventry City v Oxford United

Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Chelsea v Preston North End

QPR v Bournemouth

Gillingham v Sheffield United

Swansea City v Morecambe

Manchester City v Huddersfield Town

Blackburn Rovers v Cambridge United

Nottingham Forest v Blackpool or Forest Green Rovers

Wigan Athletic v Manchester United

Crystal Palace v Everton

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa

Sunderland v Newcastle United

Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff City

Millwall v Leicester City

Watford v Chesterfield or Leyton Orient

AFC Wimbledon or Ramsgate v Ipswich Town

Peterborough United v Leeds United