AFC Rushden & Diamonds vs Morecambe - FA Cup

Few would have predicted the narrative arc that brings AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Morecambe together at the home ground on October 17, 2026, and the underdog storyline only adds to the FA Cup occasion. Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai remains a doubt for Wednesday’s Champions League encounter against LASK.

There is plenty riding on this FA Cup encounter for AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Morecambe alike, and neither will want to leave the home ground empty-handed. AFC Rushden & Diamonds's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. In his latest column, Paul Merson predicts the 2026/27 Premier League season at both ends of the table.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. AFC Rushden & Diamonds will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Morecambe's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. Florian Wirtz lost possession 17 times in Liverpool's 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City, more than any other player.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. The wide areas will be a key battleground, with full-backs and wingers on either side capable of swinging the contest one way or the other. The Eagles have reportedly submitted an offer to sign the player.It remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace’s interest prompts Liverpool or Manchester United to come forward with an official proposal.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 1-1. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the FA Cup picture. That would lead most to think that Rahm is likely to spend the 2027 season on the DP World Tour.