Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 English FA Cup | Third Round

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The biggest mis-match in the third round of this season’s FA Cup comes in Cheshire as sixth-tier Macclesfield take on the defending champions Crystal Palace on Saturday.

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Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace prediction

Macclesfield come into this one on the back of a much-needed 2-1 defeat of Radcliffe in midweek, coming on the back of back-to-back defeats against Buxton and Chester over the festive period. Macc are struggling in the league, sitting in the bottom-half of the National League North.

The plastic pitch of Moss Rose could prove to be awkward for a Crystal Palace side that have been struggling to balance Premier League, EFL Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League football. The Eagles did manage to earn a goalless draw with Aston Villa the other day in a game in which they were the better of the two sides.

Crystal Palace head to Macclesfield likely having made an abundance of changes but they should still cruise to a comfortable victory up in the north west of England.

Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace tip: Crystal Palace to win -2 handicap