Redcar Athletic vs Macclesfield - FA Cup

A fascinating FA Cup chapter awaits on September 19, 2026 when Redcar Athletic take on Macclesfield at the home ground — two sides with plenty to play for and everything to prove. Catch up with all the action from Chelsea's pre-season clash with AC Milan.

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. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Macclesfield's away form is hard to read, but they will arrive with the belief that they can trouble their hosts. The fact that Oxford ultimately fell five points short of the total needed to stay in the Championship shows that it would have required top-half - almost play-off - form during the second half of the season.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Redcar Athletic may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Macclesfield have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. His all-action approach did not just suit the demands of Luis Enrique, it appeared to have a transformative effect on those around him, setting new standards in the forward line.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. 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. More than that, he is the club's top scorer in a single European campaign.

With the sides closely matched, the outcome may well hinge on which team takes its chances on the day. Neither side holds a clear edge, and a 1-1 draw would be a fitting reflection of the balance between them. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the FA Cup standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.