- Home form: Anstey Nomads are unbeaten at home (W3, D1).
- Recent run: Macclesfield FC are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 matches (W5, D4).
- Scoring trend: The Silkmen are 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5 games, though they're not a high-scoring side.
Anstey Nomads can nick another cup tie
Anstey Nomads have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 fixtures, a run which can be described as mixed, but one which is clearly keeping them in the fight. The Nomads have taken a point and a goal from their two draws, a 1-1 draw away at Needham Market and a 1-1 draw at Macclesfield FC in the FA Cup, but that point and goal is a serious achievement.
The hosts are unbeaten in 4 games at home across all competitions (W3, D1) and they're tough to beat on their own patch. Anstey have 6 wins, 3 draws and just 1 defeat from their last 10 in all competitions, so they have some momentum to carry them into this one.
Courey Grantham has netted 3 of the Nomads' 6 goals in their last 5 outings and he can get on the scoresheet again on Tuesday.
Macclesfield FC are no easy opponent
Momentum and style
Macclesfield FC will not be an easy opponent for the Leicestershire side, as the Silkmen are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 in all competitions (W5, D4). John Rooney has built some real momentum at the club as they've become a compact, physical team, sharp in transition.
Recent results and threats
- The visitors are 3 wins and 2 draws from their last 5, although their recent games haven't been goal-fests.
- Their previous 2 outings have been a 4-3 home win over South Shields and a 1-1 away draw with Anstey Nomads, which tells us that the visitors can nick points, but they can get caught out too.
- The Silkmen are a real threat from crosses and set-pieces.
Anstey to get the better of a cup tie
Anstey's preference is to play structured possession-based soccer, moving the ball through the lines rather than down the field. This will mean that the hosts should get the game flowing, but the replay feel of this tie and the fact that Macclesfield can hurt teams in transition suggests a few goals in this one.
The Anstey team are backed at 3.9 for a home victory, but we're going to side with them after a hard battle. As such, Both Teams to Score – Yes at 1.57 looks a reliable bet and Over 2.5 goals at 1.65 seems appropriate for this tie, which should be more end-to-end affair than a cagey 0-0.
