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Can Macclesfield turn Moss Rose into a cup cauldron again or will Brentford’s quality finally cut through? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Read Rationale ▾
Brentford’s clinical finishing and counter-attacking strength should prevail, but Macclesfield’s relentless home energy and 68% BTTS record suggest they will find the net. The hosts average over 12 shots per game at Moss Rose, making a clean sheet for the visitors unlikely in this cup atmosphere.
Read Rationale ▾
A tight, competitive scoreline fits the narrative of a top-tier side facing a resilient home underdog. Brentford’s recent away form includes narrow victories and draws, while Macclesfield have the scoring consistency to push them close. A 2-1 margin reflects the gap in quality offset by home advantage.
Readers’ Tip
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Moss Rose is ready for another night that feels bigger than the postcode. Macclesfield Town’s FA Cup story already has a headline act following their win over Crystal Palace, and they now welcome Brentford with the chance to stretch the fairy tale even further.
Macclesfield vs Brentford — bet365 Snapshot
Key cup markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds.
Macclesfield have won six straight at home, but Brentford’s away form at Villa and Newcastle keeps them as heavy favourites.
Macclesfield matches see Over 2.5 goals in 57% of outings, while their shots volume suggests an open cup tie.
Brentford 2-0 and 2-1 occupy the strongest pricing, balancing their quality against Macclesfield’s ability to score at home.
Macclesfield average 55% possession at home, while Brentford are comfortable operating on 47% and counter-attacking.
Match Preview
Brentford come with their own cup momentum after seeing off Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 in the last round, and they’ve been mixing results in the league with a recent run that includes wins at Aston Villa (1-0) and Newcastle (3-2), plus a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
It all kicks off at 19:30 at the Moss Rose Ground, where a chilly 4°C could sharpen every tackle and make set-pieces feel even heavier.
Attacking Output: Average Goals Scored per Game
Both sides carry significant scoring weight into this cup tie, with Macclesfield’s prolific home form meeting Brentford’s top-tier efficiency.
Their attacking intent is supported by a high shot volume, averaging over 12 attempts every time they take the field.
While taking fewer shots than Macclesfield, Brentford’s top-tier status is reflected in their conversion and finishing strength.
Defensive Profile: Total Clean Sheets
A comparison of how often these defences have managed to record a shutout across their respective campaigns.
Despite a high number of shutouts, 68% of their matches see both teams find the net, suggesting a vulnerable backline.
Brentford have achieved the same number of shutouts in fewer games, highlighting their superior defensive organization.
- Home Fortress Energy: Macclesfield arrive on six straight home wins, and they’ve lost just once in their last 15 at the Leasing.com Stadium — the crowd has every reason to believe again.
- Shots & Territory Profile: Macclesfield are averaging 12.03 shots per game with 55% possession, while Brentford sit at 10.39 shots per game and 47% possession — expect one side to squeeze, the other to spring.
- Game-State Warning Light: Macclesfield matches have gone Over 2.5 goals in 21 of 37 (57%), and they’ve seen Both Teams Score in 25 of 37 (68%) — this doesn’t have to stay tidy for long.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Macclesfield Town
Josh Kay is suspended (yellow card suspension).
Probable Lineup: Dearnley; Fensome, Menayese, Heathcote, Lacey; Edmondson, Dawson, Kay, Duffy; Buckley-Ricketts, Bughail-Mellor
Brentford
No specific injuries or suspensions listed.
Probable Lineup: Kelleher; Kayode, Pinnock, Collins, Hickey; Yarmolyuk, Henderson; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Igor Thiago
Tactical Impact
Macclesfield missing Josh Kay matters because their shape is built to keep the ball and keep arriving in numbers — they average 55% possession and 236 passes per game at 76% accuracy. If that midfield balance wobbles, Brentford’s best trait — counter attacks (very strong) — suddenly becomes the loudest feature of the night.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric | Macclesfield Town | Brentford |
|---|---|---|
| Games sample | 37 | 31 |
| Goals per game | 1.81 | 1.61 |
| Conceded per game | 1.27 | 1.23 |
| Shots per game | 12.03 | 10.39 |
| Possession | 55% | 47% |
| Pass accuracy | 76% | 80% |
| Corners per game | 5.81 | 4.65 |
| Clean sheets | 9 | 9 |
Tactical Battle
When Macclesfield have the ball
Macclesfield’s recent mood is pure momentum. They’ve won seven of their last nine in all competitions, and their home form is relentless — six straight wins on their own pitch. The pattern is clear: they keep the ball (55% possession), move it enough to build pressure (236 passes per game), and they don’t die wondering (12.03 shots per game).
The key is where those attacks finish. Macclesfield take 61% of their shots from inside the box, which tells you they’re not content with hopeful efforts — they want to work their way into the danger zone and force proper saves, blocks and chaos. And with 5.81 corners per game, they can keep the ball coming back at you even when the first wave is cleared.
When Brentford have the ball
Brentford’s identity screams transition. Their strengths list counter attacks as very strong and finishing as strong — exactly the combination that punishes a team the moment it overcommits. They also play with width and use long balls, which can turn a loose pass into a footrace down the flank.
The warning label is on the other side, though. Brentford are rated weak at keeping possession and weak at defending against attacks down the wings. That is an invitation for Macclesfield to keep switching play, keep driving wide, and keep forcing moments where the full-back is isolated.
Key Moments to Watch
- Corners and second balls: Macclesfield average 5.81 corners per game. If they turn that into sustained pressure, Brentford’s wide-defending weakness gets dragged into the spotlight.
- Wide overloads vs wide fragility: Brentford’s weak spot is defending attacks down the wings. Macclesfield’s shot mix leans heavily to inside-the-box attempts, so watch for cutbacks and low deliveries after wide breaks.
- Counter-attack triggers: Brentford’s biggest weapon is the break. A single loose pass in midfield could release Ouattara, Lewis-Potter, or Damsgaard into space behind the ball.
- Foul count and rhythm: Brentford average 10.48 fouls per game. If the match gets stop-start, it can drain Macclesfield’s momentum.
- Aerial collisions: Brentford are strong in aerial duels, and they like long balls. If they win the first contact consistently, Macclesfield may spend long spells turning and running towards their own goal.
What Could Go Wrong?
For Macclesfield, the danger is doing the hard work — dominating the ball — and then getting stung by the one thing Brentford do best: counter attacks with strong finishing. For Brentford, the risk is letting Macclesfield’s home wave build into something unmanageable: corners piling up, wide pressure stretching the back line, and a crowd that turns every second ball into a surge. One early wobble, one awkward clearance in the cold air at Moss Rose, and this fixture could tilt into pure FA Cup noise.
📊 Market Explainer
Match Result & BTTS
This market requires you to predict the winner of the match and whether both teams will score. For the bet to win, your selected team must win and the final score must see both sides find the net (e.g., 2-1, 3-1).
Pros: Higher odds than a standard win. Cons: Requires a specific game-state to unfold.
Correct Score
A prediction on the exact final scoreline after 90 minutes. It is a high-volatility market that offers significant returns for precise forecasting of the match outcome.
Pros: Excellent price potential. Cons: Zero margin for error; a single late goal can ruin the bet.
🎯 Brentford to Win & BTTS Rationale
Analysing the tactical profile of both teams suggests a high-energy encounter where quality eventually triumphs. Macclesfield Town enter this fixture with immense home momentum, having won six consecutive matches at Moss Rose. Their statistical output is striking, averaging 1.81 goals per game and maintaining 55% possession. Crucially, 68% of their matches this season have seen both teams score, and they average over 12 shots per game. This relentless attacking volume, combined with the partisan home crowd, makes a Macclesfield goal highly probable.
⚔️ Tactical Indicators
- Macclesfield score in 68% of their matches and average 12.03 shots per game.
- Brentford possess a “very strong” counter-attacking threat and “strong” finishing.
- The visitors have recently secured wins at Aston Villa and Newcastle, proving their top-tier efficiency.
However, Brentford represent a significant step up in class. Their ability to win on the road against Premier League opposition like Aston Villa and Newcastle demonstrates their professionalism. While they may concede possession to the hosts, Brentford’s “very strong” counter-attacking identity is perfectly designed to exploit a Macclesfield side missing the suspended Josh Kay in midfield. The visitors find 75% of their shots from inside the penalty area, suggesting they will be clinical when the transition moments arrive.
Risk Factor: Macclesfield’s home winning streak could lead to a stalemate if Brentford fail to convert early transition chances.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Rated “very strong” on the break, perfect for punishing a high-pressing Macclesfield side.
Missing key suspended player Josh Kay, potentially leaving gaps for transition runs.
🎯 Brentford 2-1 Macclesfield Rationale
Selecting a 2-1 victory for the visitors balances the undeniable quality of Igor Thiago and his Brentford teammates with the reality of the Moss Rose atmosphere. Macclesfield have turned their home ground into a fortress, losing only once in their last 15 matches at the Leasing.com Stadium. This resilience, coupled with a scoring rate of 1.81 goals per game, suggests that they will not be easily brushed aside. They have already proven their giant-killing credentials against Crystal Palace and will likely find the net again.
Brentford’s defensive record shows they concede 1.23 goals per game, further supporting the idea of a 2-1 scoreline rather than a clean-sheet victory. Igor Thiago, with 17 goals this season, provides the clinical edge necessary to secure the win, but Brentford’s tendency to play in their own half (averaging only 47% possession) will invite Macclesfield to stay competitive. A one-goal margin reflects a hard-fought professional performance by the top-tier side in a difficult environment.
Risk Factor: A late Macclesfield surge or a clinical third from Brentford on the counter could disrupt the 2-1 prediction.
❓ Questions & Answers
⊕What does Match Result & BTTS mean?
This market requires you to pick the winner of the game and correctly predict that both teams will score at least once. It is a popular way to increase the odds on a favourite if you expect them to concede.
⊕How does Correct Score betting work?
Correct Score betting is a wager on the exact final score of the match after regulation time. Because it is difficult to predict exactly, the odds are usually much higher than other standard markets.
⊕Why is Brentford favoured to win this FA Cup tie?
Brentford are favoured due to their top-tier quality and clinical finishing, despite Macclesfield’s strong home form. Their ability to win away at Villa and Newcastle shows they can handle hostile atmospheres.
⊕Can Macclesfield Town cause an upset at Moss Rose?
Macclesfield have a strong chance of being competitive, having lost only once in their last 15 home games. Their high shot volume and possession stats suggest they will put Brentford under significant pressure.
⊕Who is the key player to watch for Brentford?
Igor Thiago is the primary threat, having scored 17 goals this season with a high shot accuracy inside the box. His physical presence will be a major challenge for the Macclesfield defence.
⊕What impact will Josh Kay’s suspension have?
The absence of Josh Kay could weaken Macclesfield’s midfield stability and ball retention. This may give Brentford more opportunities to launch their signature counter-attacks.
⊕Is the “Both Teams to Score” market a good option?
Yes, statistics show that 68% of Macclesfield’s matches see both teams score. Given their high shot volume and Brentford’s quality, it is a very plausible scenario for this match.
⊕What are the chances of a high-scoring game?
Over 2.5 goals has occurred in 57% of Macclesfield’s games this season. With both teams averaging over 1.6 goals per game, the potential for at least three goals is high.
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