Macclesfield seek to cause a giant FA Cup killing against reigning champions, Crystal Palace in a huge third-round tie.
Victory would see the modern iteration of Macclesfield extend their longest FA Cup run, whilst Palace seek to move past this stage for the second consecutive season.
Team News
Macclesfield have no fresh injury concerns to report but defender, Brandon Lee is still ruled out with a leg injury suffered in their second-round victory at Slough Town.
Palace have no fresh injury concerns to report following their goalless Premier League draw against Aston Villa, but forward – Jean-Philippe Mateta has been left in South London to rest up in a busy period of fixtures.
Jefferson Lerma (concussion), Eddie Nketiah (muscle), Cheick Doucoure, Chadi Riad, Daniel Munoz (all knee), Daichi Kamada (hamstring), Ismaila Sarr (international duty), Rio Cardines, Nathaniel Clyne (both adductor) and Caleb Kporha (back) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Macclesfield host Palace at Moss Rose on Saturday 10 January at 12:15pm GMT, live on BBC One and TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Macclesfield’s first-ever meeting against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace are making their first trip to Macclesfield.
- This is Macclesfield FC’s first-ever meeting against Premier League opposition.
- Crystal Palace have won their last six FA Cup ties against Non League opposition (W6).
Prediction
Having battled past AFC Totton then Slough in the first two rounds proper without a clean sheet, Macclesfield need Danny Elliott to be on clinical goalscoring form but they most importantly must be defensively solid if want to spring a cupset against the holders.
Palace though might be winless in their last eight games in all competitions but they are still a solid team who are tough to beat in terms of defensive breakdown, whilst their attack can often lack a clinical accurate final touch yet they have a solid record against Non League opposition to give them some belief.
Although Palace’s injury issues are serious and fatigue forced a tactical rethink against Villa as they sat back and soaked up the pressure before attacking in the last half-hour, I do think that they should really have too much quality for Macclesfield but the Silkmen could nick a goal if play well enough.
Prediction: Macclesfield 1-3 Crystal Palace
Result: Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace
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