Macclesfield Faces Brentford in Exciting Fourth Round Draw

Macclesfield manager John Rooney expressed his desire for another Premier League opponent during the fourth round draw. Though top clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Liverpool were matched with other teams, the visit from Brentford, currently positioned fifth in the Premier League, is certainly noteworthy. With over 100 places separating them in the league pyramid, this encounter promises to be an exciting challenge for Macclesfield, who competes in the sixth-tier National League North.

One of the most anticipated matchups features new Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior leading the Blues against Hull City, the club where he made 161 appearances as a player and later managed for 78 games. Chelsea, having defeated Championship side Charlton Athletic in Rosenior’s debut, will again be favored to advance against the Tigers.

Arsenal received a favorable draw, set to host Wigan Athletic, the 2013 winners currently competing in League One. Meanwhile, Manchester City, fresh off a ten-goal performance against Exeter in League One, will host either Salford City or Swindon Town, who still have their third round match to play on January 20.

Should Liverpool progress past Barnsley on Monday night, they will face Brighton & Hove Albion, who recently eliminated Manchester United.

Wrexham will be optimistic about their chances in an all-Championship clash against Ipswich Town, while the fourth round features only one guaranteed all-Premier League matchup: Aston Villa versus Newcastle United. An intriguing potential upset could arise from Grimsby Town, who previously defeated Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, as they prepare to host a struggling Wolves team.

In total, there are 16 ties scheduled for the fourth round:

– Liverpool or Barnsley vs Brighton & Hove Albion
– Stoke City vs Fulham
– Oxford United vs Sunderland
– Southampton vs Leicester City
– Wrexham vs Ipswich Town
– Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
– Hull City vs Chelsea
– Burton Albion vs West Ham United
– Burnley vs Mansfield Town
– Norwich City vs West Bromwich Albion
– Port Vale vs Bristol City
– Grimsby Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
– Aston Villa vs Newcastle United
– Manchester City vs Salford City or Swindon Town
– Macclesfield FC vs Brentford
– Birmingham City vs Leeds United

All ties are slated to be played from Friday, February 13 to Monday, February 16, spanning the long weekend. Despite coinciding with Valentine’s Day, there will be no love lost as teams compete for a coveted spot in the fifth round.

Each fourth round winner will receive £127,000 in prize money. While this may seem modest for Premier League clubs, it represents a significant sum for Macclesfield. The Silkmen have already accrued nearly £270,000 this season, thanks to their successful run through the qualifying rounds and a third-round victory over Crystal Palace.