Macclesfield welcome Brentford to Moss Rose on Monday 16 February, in a classic FA Cup David vs Goliath showdown.
While the hosts have been cutting through lower-league opposition with a prolific attack, Brentford arrive as the established side, looking to avoid a shock exit. With no prior head-to-head history between these clubs, and both teams boasting very different cup journeys so far, this tie promises unpredictability and genuine intrigue for punters.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on Macclesfield’s high-scoring FA Cup run and Brentford’s proven defensive discipline, here are our top betting recommendations for this clash. We’re particularly confident in backing goals, given Macclesfield’s 11 goals in three FA Cup outings and Brentford’s clear quality.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Teams to Score | 13/10 @ Bet365 (43.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Macclesfield average 3.7 goals for, but have 0 clean sheets. Brentford expected to net. |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 21/20 @ SkyBet (48.8%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Macclesfield games averaging nearly 5 goals—expect another lively cup tie. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Macclesfield vs Brentford match odds
How both teams head into Macclesfield vs Brentford
It has been a truly historic and emotional FA Cup journey for Macclesfield. The National League North side battled through six rounds to reach the fourth round for the first time as a phoenix club, starting in the second qualifying round. Their remarkable run included a stunning 6-3 first-round win over AFC Totton, with Danny Elliott scoring a hat-trick.
The club rallied to produce one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history, defeating reigning champions Crystal Palace 2-1 at a jubilant Moss Rose in the third round. The victory, against a side 117 places above them, has been hailed as a modern FA Cup classic. Their reward is a dream fourth-round home tie against Premier League high-flyers Brentford on 16 February.
Brentford have enjoyed a straightforward, professional start to their FA Cup campaign. Entering in the third round, the Premier League side were handed a potentially tricky away tie against Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday. However, the Bees navigated the fixture at Hillsborough with impressive ease, securing a comfortable 2-0 victory on 10 January.
Keane Lewis-Potter opened the scoring in the first half before Mathias Jensen sealed the win after the break, ensuring there was no hint of an upset. Head coach Keith Andrews stated his intention to take the competition seriously, and his side’s dominant performance reflected that. Their reward is a fascinating fourth-round clash against the competition’s ultimate giant-killers, Macclesfield. The Bees will travel to the National League North side on 16 February, in what will be their first-ever FA Cup meeting with a non-League opponent as a top-flight team.
Macclesfield team news
Macclesfield face Brentford in the FA Cup with key striker Danny Elliott ruled out for the season due to injury. Brandon Lee recently returned from injury however, boosting the squad.
Brentford team news
Brentford faces Macclesfield in the FA Cup with several key players sidelined. Josh Dasilva (knee ligament), Fábio Carvalho, and Antoni Milambo (both ACL injuries) are all out for the remainder of the season. Additionally, Kevin Schade will miss the match due to a three-game suspension. Head coach Keith Andrews confirmed no new major injury concerns, but the team will be without these significant contributors.
Head-to-Head: Last 4 Meetings
These two sides haven’t met since 2009 when both sides were in League Two. Their four matches were evenly split, with both sides picking up two victories each.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 24/01/09 | Macclesfield 2-0 Brentford | League Two |
| 04/10/08 | Brentford 1-0 Macclesfield | League Two |
| 08/03/08 | Brentford 1-0 Macclesfield | League Two |
| 06/11/07 | Macclesfield 1-0 Brentford | League Two |
Conclusion
Can Macclesfield’s fearless attack disturb Brentford’s composure, or will the Premier League side’s professionalism prevail? We see both teams getting on the scoresheet, but Brentford’s class likely tells—making Both Teams to Score at 13/10 (43.5%) our value angle, with a Brentford win the logical accumulator booster.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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