The Independent's journalism receives support from our readers. Commission may be earned from links to external sites on this page.
Macclesfield vs Brentford: FA Cup Fourth Round Preview and Betting Tips
Follow our comprehensive football betting analysis as non-league Macclesfield welcome Premier League side Brentford to Moss Rose for a highly anticipated FA Cup fourth round encounter on Monday evening.
Historic FA Cup Clash at Moss Rose
After producing one of the competition's greatest shocks by defeating holders Crystal Palace in the third round, all attention returns to Moss Rose this Monday as National League North outfit Macclesfield host top-flight Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round. The match kicks off at 7:30pm and will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+.
Macclesfield's remarkable 2-1 victory over Palace stands as perhaps the most significant upset in recent FA Cup history, with an astonishing 117 league positions separating the two teams. Yet on that memorable day, the non-league side demonstrated complete control from the opening whistle, making the supposed gulf in class utterly irrelevant. Their reward is another home fixture against Premier League opposition, though Brentford represent a potentially sterner challenge, determined to avoid suffering the same fate as their London counterparts.
Brentford's Impressive Season Form
The Bees enter this fixture in excellent form, currently occupying seventh position in the Premier League table - a standing that has surprised many who anticipated struggles following Thomas Frank's departure to Tottenham Hotspur. Keith Andrews' appointment as Frank's replacement raised eyebrows initially, but the manager has flourished in his new role, guiding Brentford to consistent success while Frank has since been dismissed, with Spurs languishing in 16th position.
Brentford approach this cup tie with seven victories from their last eleven matches across all competitions, including consecutive wins against Aston Villa and Newcastle United. Most recently, they secured a credible 1-1 draw against league leaders Arsenal on Thursday, demonstrating their capability to compete with the division's elite.
Macclesfield's Continued Momentum
Since their historic triumph over Crystal Palace, the Silkmen have maintained impressive momentum, securing five victories from their last seven matches in all competitions. Currently positioned sixth in the National League North table, they remain well-placed for end-of-season play-off contention. Should they overcome Brentford on Monday, Macclesfield would become the first non-league team in over a century to eliminate two top-flight opponents in a single FA Cup campaign. Football betting sites currently offer 14/1 odds on another remarkable victory for the underdogs.
Macclesfield vs Brentford Prediction: Bees to Avoid Palace's Errors
This encounter marks the first-ever meeting between these two clubs and represents Brentford's inaugural FA Cup fixture as a Premier League side against non-league opposition. Historical statistics generally favour top-flight teams in such matchups, with non-league sides progressing past the fourth round in just two of the last 28 similar ties - Sunderland against Yeovil in 1948-49 and Norwich versus Luton in 2012-13 being the notable exceptions.
However, Brentford's own FA Cup record provides less encouraging reading, having reached the fifth round only once in the past nineteen seasons. That solitary advancement occurred in the 2018-19 campaign, concluding with a comprehensive 4-1 defeat at Swansea City. The Bees secured their place in this round by defeating Sheffield Wednesday, while Macclesfield navigated past Atherton LR, Stamford AFC, AFC Totton, Slough Town and Crystal Palace to reach this stage.
John Rooney's side will undoubtedly give their absolute maximum effort once again on Monday, but this challenge may represent a step too far against Premier League quality. Nevertheless, should Brentford fail to perform at their expected level, they risk suffering the same fate that befell Oliver Glasner's Palace side five weeks earlier.
Macclesfield vs Brentford Betting Tip 1: Both Teams to Score and Brentford to Win - 9/5 with Ladbrokes
Thiago's Goal-Scoring Form
Igor Thiago has emerged as Brentford's standout performer this season, registering eighteen goals across twenty-seven appearances in all competitions. Following summer departures of key attackers Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, questions surrounded where Brentford's goals would originate, but Thiago - who joined for £30 million in July 2024 - has emphatically answered those concerns.
After failing to score in eight appearances last season, the Brazilian opened his account in the season's opening fixture, a 3-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest. He has since recorded two or more goals on five occasions this campaign, including a hat-trick against Everton in January. Betting sites currently offer 11/4 odds on Thiago scoring two or more goals, with 8/15 available for him to score at any time during the match.
Macclesfield vs Brentford Betting Tip 2: Igor Thiago to Score Two or More Goals - 11/4 with Bet365
Team News and Injury Updates
Macclesfield: Brandon Lee and Danny Elliott remain unavailable due to long-term injuries, while Justin Johnson continues as a doubt for the fixture.
Brentford: Kevin Schade serves the final match of a three-game suspension, while Josh Dasilva (knee) joins Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo on the injury list. Carvalho and Milambo will miss the remainder of the campaign following ACL injuries.
Betting Offers and Responsible Gambling
New customers can access £50 in free bets by registering with Betfred and placing a wager on Monday's Macclesfield versus Brentford fixture. To qualify, new users must utilize the designated link, apply the Betfred promo code BETFRED50 during account creation, deposit £10, and place a £10 bet on any Macclesfield vs Brentford market with odds of evens or greater. Following settlement of the qualifying bet, £50 in free bets will be credited across five £10 installments, valid for seven days.
Please gamble responsibly. Betting should always be approached as entertainment rather than a means to generate income. Never wager more than you can comfortably afford to lose, and cease activity when it ceases to be enjoyable. Reputable gambling platforms provide various tools including deposit limits, profit/loss trackers, and self-exclusion options to help maintain control.
Should you require assistance or advice regarding gambling addiction, numerous support organizations stand ready to help, including the NHS, GambleAware, and Gamblers Anonymous. While commission may be earned from links within this article, this never influences our editorial content, with such revenue supporting journalism across The Independent.
We strive to provide all online gamblers and Independent readers with a secure, fair platform through unbiased reviews and offers from the UK's premier gambling companies. All odds and offers mentioned remain accurate at publication time but are subject to change, with applicable Terms and Conditions applying to all promotions.
