Selangor vs Sabah FA - FA Cup

There is a notable edge to this FA Cup fixture. When Selangor meet Sabah FA at MBPJ Stadium on September 9, 2026, both will sense an opportunity to land a telling blow. Why Manchester United face transfer dilemma with unexpected star of pre-season.

There is plenty riding on this FA Cup encounter for Selangor and Sabah FA alike, and neither will want to leave MBPJ Stadium empty-handed. The hosts will hope that the MBPJ Stadium crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. Sabah FA will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. That result ended the European giants' 14-game unbeaten run in the competition, as Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham were contained by an "incredible" performance from a player barely anyone outside of France had heard of.

Pressing intensity will define the contest. Selangor will seek to win the ball high up the pitch and suffocate Sabah FA's build-up, while the visitors will aim to play through the pressure and exploit the spaces it leaves behind. Rico Lewis played at right-back, but when City were in possession he tucked infield and supported the midfield pairing of Mateo Kovacic and Reijnders.

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 battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Ajax's struggles have become a soap opera but new boss Michel has delivered seven wins and two draws across all competitions to ensure they at least have a Conference League campaign to look forward to.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 1-1. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.