The magic of the FA Cup is alive and well as not only did we experience our club winning the historic old trophy, but the Eagles kick off their defence at non league Macclesfield.
There is still a ‘pinch me’ moment when you think back to that afternoon at Wembley in May last year. Yes, it is now last year!
Being drawn as the holders of the trophy is one thing, but having been paired up with non-league Macclesfield just proves the magic of the FA Cup is alive and well.
The hosts have had their struggles in recent years and it is good to see them in good shape and making their way through the football pyramid. We do hope that one day they realise their dream of attaining Football League status once again.
Oliver Glasner will think long and hard over his selection for this game particularly with the injury crisis he is experiencing along with the very hectic schedule that the squad has managed to wade it’s way through in recent months.
One saving grace is that the club return to one game a week for a few weeks after this weekend, with the next fixture at Sunderland next Saturday. Returning to some sort of normality for the remainder of January will be beneficial to the squad as the management team can get back to concentrating on their usual process of training, rest, and recuperation.
It is expected that Glasner will first a mixture of first team regulars, fringe players and academy players, who you could now consider to be fringe players. The Austrian does not have a huge amount to select from, but there has to be some consideration to the surface that Macclesfield have, similar to that experienced at Fredrikstad at the beginning of the season.
Of course, the non league side will need to be treated with respect as it is not a formality that the holders will find their way into the Fourth Round with ease. They will have to earn it, but there will be a real buzz around Macclesfield on the day of the game and we hope it is enjoyed by all (but not too much!).
Match Facts
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Macclesfield FC are competing in their first ever season in the FA Cup proper (first round onwards) – the last side to reach the fourth round in their first ever season was Harlow Town in 1979-80.
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Palace’s last FA Cup tie against a non-league side was in 2014-15, when they beat Dover Athletic 4-0 in the third round. They’ve won their last 6 against non-league teams in the competition since losing 3-1 to Yeovil Town in 1963-64.
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For the first time in their history, Palace are holders of the FA Cup – 12 of the last 13 holders of the trophy have progressed from the third round, with Arsenal the exception in 2017-18 when they lost 4-2 to Nottingham Forest.
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This is the first meeting between the FA Cup holders and a non-league team since 2004-05, when Manchester United needed a replay to knock out Exeter in the third round. The last holders to be knocked out by a non-league side were Wolves in 1908-09, doing so against Palace.
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Across the FA Cup first and second rounds this season, Macclesfield’s Daniel Elliott has had the most shots (17) and shots on target (13), while only Burton Albion’s Tyrese Shade (5) has netted more goals than Elliott (4).
⚽ Match Details
- Fixture: FA Cup Third Round
- Date & Time: Saturday, 10 January 2026 at 12:15 PM GMT
- Venue: Moss Rose (Leasing.com Stadium), Macclesfield FC’s home ground
Team Form
| Team | Recent Form Highlights |
|---|---|
| Macclesfield FC | Coming off a 2–1 win over Radcliffe (6 Jan), but had earlier league losses to Chester (2–0) and Buxton (2–0) |
| Crystal Palace | Struggled in the Premier League with no wins in six and a 0–0 draw vs Aston Villa on 7 Jan |
Head-to-Head & Historical Context
- This is a rare meeting, with no recent recorded matches outside this FA Cup fixture.
- Macclesfield are underdogs, positioned in the National League North (tier 6), while Palace boast Premier League and European commitments.
Preview & Analysis
- TheStatsZone: Labels this as FA Cup’s biggest mismatch, Macclesfield may discomfort Palace with their plastic pitch, but the visitors should advance comfortably.
- The Non‑League Football Paper: Highlights local midfielder Luke Duffy’s dream to cause an upset against the holders.
- iNews: Offers a heart-warming backdrop on Macclesfield’s phoenix journey post-liquidation, adding rich narrative context.
Broadcast Info
- TV Coverage: Match set to air live on BBC One, TNT Sports 1, and Discovery+.
- Streaming: Available through ESPN+ for international viewers.
What to Watch
From a fan’s perspective:
- Tactical contrast: Can Macclesfield’s low-league grit and plastic-pitch familiarity disrupt Palace’s Premier League rhythm?
- Palace rotation: Expect squad changes due to cup congestion, making this an unpredictable tie.
- Cup romance: This is FA Cup magic—giant-killing chances, passionate underdog energy.
