Macclesfield vs Brentford Prediction: Free-kick price looks tasty

They can’t do it again… can they? Macclesfield FC produced the biggest FA Cup shock we have ever seen in terms of league positions in the third round as they beat holders Crystal Palace 2-1, with a whopping 117 places between the two teams. 

Their reward for that success is another home tie against another Premier League outfit, as high-flying Brentford come to Moss Rose (19:30 GMT, TNT Sports 1).  Below you can find my Macclesfield vs Brentford predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Team News

Having joined from National League side Altricham in January, James Gale opened his Macc account with a brace last time out and could start this one, as he is eligible to play despite featuring for his former club in round one. 

Luke Matheson and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson both started in the 3-1 win over Leamington in midweek and will hope to feature here having made it into the starting XI since the win over Crystal Palace. 

Brentford have just locked down striker Igor Thiago to a new contract, and I feel as though Keith Andrews could name a strong side for this one, given what happened to Crystal Palace. We can expect a few changes though given the strength of the squad. 

Jordan Henderson could come into the XI, along with Ethan Pinnock and Aaron Hickey as the trio came off the bench against the Gunners on Thursday night. Second-choice keeper Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson should also be handed a start with youngster Romelle Donavon hoping for more minutes. 

Macclesfield vs Brentford Odds 

Macclesfield are the 12/1 underdogs for this one, with Brentford just 2/9 to win the game in 90 minutes. A draw can be backed at 11/2, over 2.5 goals is 4/9 and BTTS is 1/1. 

In terms of goalscorers, Thiago is 2/1 to score first for the visitors, while Gale is 10/1 to open the scoring for the hosts. 

BTTS @ 1/1

After a 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Brentford are looking good for a top half finish and they will be desperate for a cup run this term, having been handed a very kind draw this time around. But what can Macc produce?

I am all for the romance of the cup, but it feels incredibly unfeasible that they will cause another shock here. However - I do fancy them to score. I think Andrews is likely to rotate his defenders and that could give Macc a chance to break them down, especially given their goalscoring form. Both teams have scored in their last six games, and nine of their last 10 in all competitions. 

I think we’ve got a good chance of both teams finding the net on Monday night. 

Mikkel Damsgaard to score a direct free-kick @ 28/1

I wanted to back a Brentford goalscorer, but as we look for more value, I’m pushing it to the limit. We saw Yeremy Pino score direct from a free-kick in the last round against Macc, and I believe they are going to concede more fouls on the edge of their own area against this dominant Brentford outfit. 

If he starts, I’d expect Damsgaard to pull rank over these set pieces, making him great value to find the net from a direct free-kick at some point in the 90 minutes. 

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