Macclesfield Town v Oxford United: Silkmen can cause an upset

Alan Dudman
01 December 2016

Oxford United boss Michael Appleton takes his side to Moss Rose on Friday evening

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With a trio of televised FA Cup games to look forward to over the next few days, Alan Dudman is on hand to preview the first on Friday between Macclesfield and Oxford....

"Away from the Kassam, their record is poor; with just one victory in their last 10. I cannot get involved in their 1.758/11 price at all, and we saw what happened with Swindon against Eastleigh in the previous round."

Lay Oxford United @ 1.758/11 v Macclesfield Town

Macclesfield Town v Oxford United

Friday December 2, 19:55
Live on BBC Two

Macclesfield Town

The Silkmen have already beaten League One opposition in this competition - gaining a 1-0 victory at Walsall last month in the first round. On their day, the Saddlers are quite a neat and tidy passing team, but there wasn't an awful lot of difference between the two as Macclesfield prevailed. Therefore backing the hosts at 5.104/1 makes a fair bit of appeal, as the odds look on the generous side.

Historically the hosts have a good record in FA Cup second round matches, and according to Opta, they have progressed from five of their last six ties.

Their National League form is an even split in terms of games won (five at home and five away), but the Silkmen are sound defensively - conceding just eight goals at Moss Rose all season. Only Borehamwood have a superior record on their own patch, but John Askey's Macclesfield are certainly better at the back at home than they are away.

If you are taking the price on a home victory at 5.14/1, you have on your side a crucial Opta stat. The home team have lost only one of their last nine FA Cup games at Moss Rose (winning five and drawing three). Although this test will be a proper examination of their credentials rather than the 4-1 victory against North Ferriby United in the qualifying round.

Oxford United

I got Oxford completely wrong for their live game against Wimbledon earlier in the season. Prior to that match they had enjoyed a pretty good home record. They lost 1-3 to the Dons though and were favourites to win, but that highlighted how erratic teams are at League One level.

United seem to be an identikit third tier outfit. Wildly unpredictable, with no real consistency. Their away record reads DLDLWLDLLL in the league, so I wouldn't be in a mad rush to be backing them odds-on around 1.758/11. Perhaps the price is factoring in their FA Cup first round 5-0 win at Merstham? They are a seventh tier team, and having watched a few National League games myself, I can assure you there isn't a massive chasm these days.

United boss Michael Appleton stressed in November he wanted his team to get on the front foot and start aggressively at a high tempo. And whilst they carried this out to the letter against Coventry - you have to pose the question of consistency and whether they can keep doing it.

They have toughened up a bit recently, and secured an excellent 1-1 draw at league leaders Scunthorpe last weekend. But their haphazard form keeps rearing its ugly head; they have beaten Bolton at the Macron, but lost to Shrewsbury.

Away from the Kassam, their record is poor; with just one victory in their last 10. I cannot get involved in their 1.758/11 price at all, and we saw what happened with Swindon against Eastleigh in the previous round.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

I've outlined Macclesfield's defence at home - in shipping just eight goals in 10 games, so we know they have the ability to defend. Oxford meanwhile are not massively potent on the road either - with just nine scored all season. They have conceded 15 on the road, but I would most certainly lean towards the Under 2.5 Goals.

Askey's side have kept three clean sheets at home in the league, whilst Oxford have picked up just two on their travels. Six of Macclesfield's 11 home games have finished Under 2.5 Goals.

The home team do pose a goal threat from midfield though - with Danny Whitaker and Danny Rose bagging 12 between them. Macclesfield's top scorer is Chris Holdroyd with nine this term.

Recommended Bet
Lay Oxford United @ 1.758/11

*You can read more League One tips as well as Ian Lamont's thoughts on the week's League Two teams in FA Cup action by visiting our dedicated English Football League section here on Betting.Betfair.

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