Leatherhead vs Croydon Athletic - FA Cup

When Leatherhead and Croydon Athletic clash at the home ground on September 5, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a FA Cup fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.

Positionally there is a clear hierarchy: Leatherhead sit 54th, Croydon Athletic lie 205th, but the FA Cup has a habit of defying such logic. Leatherhead will be keen to seize the initiative and build some momentum on home soil. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. The Nottingham Forest playmaker is not anticipated to leave the City Ground this summer, unless a substantial transfer fee is put on the table.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Leatherhead will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Croydon Athletic must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Man Utd are pushing higher and working harder to press and counter-press the opposition, especially to win the ball back quickly after a loss of possession.

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. 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. There is a strong interest in Alex Scott but Bournemouth are sticking to their guns over the midfielder.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. On balance, Leatherhead look well-placed to claim all three points, and a 2-1 home win would not come as a surprise. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the FA Cup picture. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.