Kettering Town vs Wellingborough Town - FA Cup

The FA Cup returns to the home ground on September 8, 2026, where Kettering Town and Wellingborough Town will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off tie against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday, McInnes said: "I said that when I spoke to Lawrence.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: Kettering Town sit 21st, Wellingborough Town lie 116th, but the FA Cup has a habit of defying such logic. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. The visitors will back themselves to cause problems and will not make the trip expecting an easy afternoon. Phil Foden was handed a free role in the No 10 position behind striker Muamba, who scored in consecutive pre-season games.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Kettering Town will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Wellingborough Town must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Andoni Iraola could not have been clearer about how he plans to change Liverpool when speaking in his opening press conference.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Liverpool threw away a two-goal lead in spectacular fashion as Leeds won the final match of both teams' United States tour 4-2.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. The weight of evidence points to Kettering Town, and a 2-1 win for the hosts feels like the most probable outcome. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. Important qualities given that Bournemouth will expect him to be proactive.