Sixth-tier Macclesfield stun holders Crystal Palace in biggest upset in FA Cup history

There 116 places between National League North side Macclesfield and Premier League Crystal Palace, beginning their FA Cup title defence.

However, Palace are without a win in eight matches in all competitions and are juggling European football this season, giving the underdogs cause for optimism.

Macclesfield are currently sitting 14th in the National League North, but come into today’s game following a 2-1 win over fifth-placed Radcliffe.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has told his players to expect Macclesfield playing their “match of the decade”. Macclesfield FC are a phoenix club, promoted three times in four seasons since the original entity was issued with a winding up order in 2020.

Macclesfield managed by John Rooney, younger brother of former England forward Wayne – the third-round tie set to be played on an artificial pitch at the Leasing.com Stadium – the match has all the ingredients of a potential upset.

Palace head coach Glasner said at a press conference: “We want to win another trophy. This is our approach. It is not defending something, it is winning something. We are just talking about Macclesfield, about the game tomorrow and winning it and then take it game by game.

“Of course, we want to extend the next FA Cup journey as long as possible, but I always say – don’t make the second step before the first one.

“The first one is now Macclesfield. As I mentioned, [played on] astro and [against a] non-league football [team], maybe it is their match of the decade, so this is what we have to accept.

“But on the other side, it is clear – if we go there, we have to win there. It depends on us and our attitude. If we show our standards, we will win.”

Glasner revealed striker Jean-Philippe Mateta would be rested as the club looks to manage “some issues with his knee” and confirmed captain Marc Guehi – again linked with a move away in January – was expected to be involved.

Full team news on the way shortly.