Mansfield Town vs Macclesfield preview: Match stats, injury latest, FA Cup record, league form

Both sides made the headlines last season for their valiant efforts in the tournament, so neither will be underestimating the other for this fixture.

Stags captain Ryan Sweeney is excited to get going this season, after Stags enjoyed some big results last time out.

The defender is hoping for another good run to build on last campaign’s streak, which saw Mansfield Town host Arsenal in the fifth round.

Here are some match stats and information ahead of kick-off this weekend.

When do Mansfield Town play in the FA Cup?

Stags’ first round match will take place this Saturday against National League North side Macclesfield. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm at the One Call Stadium.

Mansfield Town latest injury news

Not a lot has changed for Stags in the treatment room, except for George Abbott’s pending return.

Following Tuesday’s visit to Wigan, Nigel Clough said they are ‘hopeful’ the midfielder will be fit for this weekend, having missed the last two matches.

“He’s another that’s day-to-day really. We’ll see how he’s going. He tried it on Monday but he was still a bit too sore.”

Abbott is the only player close to making a return from injury. Lucas Akins, Baily Cargill, David McGoldrick and Liam Thompson are all absent with no clear indication on when they might be back in action.

FA Cup record

Both Stags and the Silkmen played out head-turning runs in the FA Cup last season.

Mansfield Town reached the fifth round for the first time in more than 50 years with a run of action-packed results.

They beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane 4-3 before coming from behind to snub Premier League side Burnley at Turf Moor. The clash against Arsenal was also an entertaining one, as Stags gave as good as they got before exiting the competition after a 2-1 defeat.

Macclesfield completed the mother of all upsets when they knocked out reigning champions Crystal Palace in the third round.

At the time, the non-league Silkmen were ranked 117 places below the Premier League club, making it the biggest upset of all time in terms of league places.

Macclesfield reached the fourth round – their best ever FA Cup finish – before bowing out to Brentford.

Stags’ best run in the FA Cup stretches a fair way back to 1969, when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Leicester City.

Mansfield Town vs Macclesfield league form

Stags will enter Saturday’s match after picking up a point on the road against Wigan in League One this week. The result came after their loss to Notts County in the derby – their first defeat in seven games.

Mansfield are currently 11th in the league table, with five wins, four draws and four defeats on the board so far.

Macclesfield are third in the National League North, two points off the top spot after eight wins, three draws and two losses. They have lost just once in their last five league games.

Mansfield Town vs Macclesfield match stats

Macclesfield FC is the new entity of its former Macclesfield Town, which was wound up in 2020 over debts.

Saturday will be the first competitive meeting between Stags and this Macclesfield side.

Given the short history of the Cheshire-based team, this season will mark just their second FA Cup first round appearance. Last campaign’s debut appearance led to their historic win over Crystal Palace.

Since the 2019/20 season, Mansfield Town have won six of their seven FA Cup first round fixtures, keeping five clean sheets.