Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace Prediction: Holders too strong for Macc?

I’ve got a slice of luck getting to write this preview, as the plum FA Cup Third Round tie between Macclesfield and holders Crystal Palace takes place on Saturday lunchtime (12:15 GMT, BBC One). 

Pitting the most joyous FA Cup holders in more than a decade against a sixth-tier side that has been reborn after going out of existence is what this competition is all about. So let’s dive into it - below you can find my Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace predictions.

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Team News

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, formerly of Manchester United, made his Macclesfield debut in midweek and may be handed his first start after joining at the start of the month. Mikey Stone is another January arrival from Altrincham and could be thrown into the mix to freshen up this sixth-tier side. 

Danny Elliott should lead the line having scored a hat-trick in the First Round, while Danny Whitehead and Justin Johnson will be hoping to force their way into the starting XI. 

Football Odds

Crystal Palace are likely to ring the changes, even with a decent number of absentees, including the injured Daniel Munoz and Eddie Nketiah. Ismaila Sarr remains at Afcon, so Christantus Uche should play up front with youngsters Joel Drakes-Thomas and Benjamin Casey.

Brennan Johnson could make his debut for his new club from the bench, with George King, Chris Richards and Jaydee Canvot expected to line-up in defence. Romain Esse would have played in this one, but has been loaned to Championship leaders Coventry City for the remainder of the season. 

Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace Odds

Macclesfield are the underdogs at 11/1, while Crystal Palace are the massive favourites at 2/9. That gives the holders an 82% chance of success if we crunch the numbers, while a draw after 90 minutes is 5/1.

Over 2.5 goals is 4/9, BTTS is 10/11 and Jean-Philippe Mateta is the favourite to score first at 2/1. Find other prices and offers on the link above. 

HT/FT - Draw/Crystal Palace @ 3/1

I love an FA Cup tie. These fixtures are just what football is truly all about. With Crystal Palace expected to make wholesale changes and Macclesfield’s 3G pitch also a factor to be reckoned with, I do believe the hosts can at the very least, make it half-time with the scores level. 

The atmosphere should be fantastic and Palace may look a little disjointed if the predicted team is the one that is named on Saturday morning. However, with the big guns likely to be named on the bench, I cannot see Palace failing to progress in 90 minutes. They are just 2/9 to win this game, but backing them to be drawing at half-time and winning by full-time gives us far better odds. 

Today's Football Fixtures

Palace to win to nil @ 19/20

Similar to the above, but without the half-time stuff. Palace should have no trouble dominating this tie, even with the expected rotation. Macc have only scored 29 goals in 22 league games this season and they sit 14th in the National League North - so the chasm between the two teams should be quite apparent. 

Not to be a Debbie Downer as I do love this competition, but I think the best the Silkmen can hope for is to be 0-0 at half-time. I struggle to see them scoring so I think near EVS on Palace to win to nil offers good value. 

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