Eastbourne Borough vs Windsor - FA Cup

The history between Eastbourne Borough and Windsor lends this FA Cup fixture an extra layer of spice, and when the two walk out at the home ground on September 19, 2026, recent encounters will be on everyone's mind. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the FA Cup contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. Eastbourne Borough will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. Windsor will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. He was sacked by Fiorentina after Che Adams' late goal for Torino left them bottom of the Serie A table with three defeats out of three.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Eastbourne Borough favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Windsor are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. But the key difference is understanding the game, in possession and out of possession.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. 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. Cole Campbell, the club's record signing from Dortmund, marked the occasion with a debut goal too.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. With the sides so closely matched, a 1-1 stalemate looks the most likely way this one ends. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The 22-year-old was likely quite high up on the list of United's midfield targets and potentially even higher after Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga blows.