Macclesfield Town are looking to produce another miracle in the FA Cup on Monday, when they welcome Premier League opponents Brentford to the Leasing.com Stadium.
The hosts are in the sixth tier of English football, but their lowly ranking did not stop them from toppling FA Cup winners Crystal Palace 2-1 at home on January 10, whereas Brentford managed to get the better of Sheffield Wednesday in the fourth round.
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Macclesfield Town vs Brentford prediction: A giant too far?
Key stats
- Macclesfield have conceded in eight of their nine most recent outings in all competitions.
- Brentford have scored 20 goals in their last 11 fixtures.
- The visitors have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches away from home.
Correct score prediction: Macclesfield Town 1-2 Brentford
Macclesfield have already far exceeded expectations in this season's FA Cup, and they will forever be remembered for knocking holders Palace out of the tournament.
However, the likelihood of them beating another Premier League side is low, and Brentford should be expected to advance into the next round of the competition.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Brentford predicted to win by the bookmakers
- HOME: 9/1 (10) – 10%
- DRAW: 11/2 (6.5) – 15.4%
- AWAY: 2/9 (1.22) – 81.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Brentford are the expected winner of this clash, with a probability of 81.8%, and the bookmakers have only given Macclesfield Town a 10% chance of progressing into the fifth round.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: A long-awaited reunion
The two clubs have not clashed since 2009, and they have, in fact, only met four times in their history, with both having won two matches each.
Macclesfield won 2-0 in League Two in September 2009, and their other triumph over the Bees also came at home, whereas Brentford won 1-0 twice in 2008 on home turf.
Macclesfield Town preview: Tricky hosts
Macclesfield may be in the sixth tier, but they may prove to be challenging opponents given they have triumphed in each of their past six matches at home.
Midfielders Paul Dawson and Josh Kay will be expected to provide a stable platform for forwards Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and D'Mani Bughail-Mellor.
Predicted lineup: Dearnley (GK), Fensome, Menayese, Heathcote, Lacey, Edmondson, Dawson, Kay, Duffy, Buckley-Ricketts & Bughail-Mellor
Last five results:
- 10/02/26: Macclesfield Town 3-1 Leamington (National League North)
- 03/02/26: Macclesfield Town 1-5 Kidderminster (National League North)
- 31/01/26: Macclesfield Town 2-1 Bedford (National League North)
- 27/01/26: Peterborough Sports 4-3 Macclesfield Town (National League North)
- 24/01/26: Worksop 2-4 Macclesfield Town (National League North)
Brentford preview: Excellent form of late
Brentford are seventh in the Premier League and are only four points from fifth-placed Chelsea, while they have won seven, drawn two and lost two of their last 11 games.
Considering both Mikkel Damsgaard and Jordan Henderson both came on as substitutes against Arsenal on Thursday, the duo could both come into the starting XI on Monday.
Predicted lineup: Kelleher (GK), Kayode, Pinnock, Collins, Hickey, Yarmolyuk, Henderson, Ouattara, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter & Thiago
Last five results:
- 12/02/26: Brentford 1-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
- 07/02/26: Newcastle United 2-3 Brentford (Premier League)
- 01/02/26: Aston Villa 0-1 Brentford (Premier League)
- 25/01/26: Brentford 0-2 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- 17/01/26: Chelsea 2-0 Brentford (Premier League)
Player to watch: Igor Thiago
Regardless of whether Brentford forward Igor Thiago is selected in the starting lineup or on the bench, his physicality could be crucial against Monday's hosts, who are likely to be aggressive when defending their penalty area.
The striker has impressively scored 18 goals in all competitions for Brentford, though he has only found the back of the net once in his five most recent games.