FA Cup TV Guide: How to Watch Macclesfield vs Brentford Clash
Everything you need to know ahead of the highly anticipated FA Cup encounter between National League North side Macclesfield and Premier League outfit Brentford. The Silkmen are dreaming of more cup magic after their historic victory over Crystal Palace.
Match Details and Broadcast Information
The FA Cup fourth-round tie between Macclesfield and Brentford is scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm GMT on Monday, 16 February 2026. The match will be held at Moss Rose, Macclesfield's home ground, where they previously stunned holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable third-round upset.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, the match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1. Comprehensive coverage will begin at 6:30pm GMT, one hour before kick-off. Additionally, the fixture can be streamed live via the discovery+ platform, providing flexible viewing options for football fans.
Team News and Injury Updates
Macclesfield will be without their record goal-scorer Danny Elliott, who is ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a significant injury. This places additional responsibility on the heroes from their victory over Crystal Palace, with Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts expected to lead the attack alongside striker D'Mani Mellor.
Brentford approach the match with several squad concerns. Kevin Schade will serve the final game of his suspension and is unavailable for selection. Josh Dasilva is nearing a return from injury but remains a doubt for this fixture. Long-term absentees Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo continue to be sidelined, limiting Thomas Frank's options.
Predicted Starting Line-ups
Macclesfield XI: Dearnley; Fensome, Heathcote, Menayese, Lacey; Edmondson; Duffy, Kay, Dawson, Buckley-Ricketts; Mellor.
Brentford XI: Valdimarsson; Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henry; Jensen, Henderson; Donovan, Damsgaard, Nelson; Lewis-Potter.
Context and Expectations
Macclesfield's fairytale FA Cup run continues as they welcome their second Premier League opponent of the competition. Their third-round victory over holders Crystal Palace, secured through goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, stands as one of the greatest upsets in FA Cup history. While they might have hoped for a traditional English giant in the fourth round, Brentford presents another formidable challenge.
Brentford enter this contest with confidence after taking points off Premier League leaders Arsenal in their most recent league match, potentially damaging the Gunners' title pursuit. The Bees comfortably defeated Championship bottom side Sheffield Wednesday to reach this stage and will be determined to avoid suffering the same fate as their London rivals Crystal Palace.
This match represents a classic FA Cup encounter between a non-league side riding a wave of momentum and a Premier League team seeking to navigate a potential banana skin. With national television coverage and streaming availability, football enthusiasts across the country will be tuning in to see if Macclesfield can produce another miraculous performance or if Brentford's top-flight quality will prevail.
