FA Cup | Second Round

Dec 1, 2024 at 2pm UK

Pirelli Stadium

Burton Albionvs.Tamworth

Match preview

Burton might actually benefit from the distraction of the FA Cup. After all, the Brewers are languishing at the bottom of League One, having only managed to collect eight points from 16 matches.

Tom Hounsell has been caretaker boss for seven competitive matches since Mark Robinson was dismissed. He's overseen three wins, one draw and three defeats.

The first of those three wins was in the FA Cup first round, where they beat sixth-tier Scarborough Athletic 1-0 thanks to a goal from Tomas Kalinauskas.

Unfortunately for the Brewers, they'll be going into the second round off the back of two consecutive home league defeats against Stockport County and Charlton Athletic.

They're now gearing up for their first competitive match against Tamworth since they beat them 1-0 in a National League match back in February 2007. If they can pull off a similar result on Sunday, they'll be through to the third round for the second time in three seasons.

Tamworth have had to get through two FA Cup ties to reach the second round for the first time since 2013-14, which is quite an achievement for them.

Tamworth kicked off their FA Cup campaign with a 4-2 win against Macclesfield Town in the final qualifying round. They then pulled off an upset against League One Huddersfield Town in the first round proper.

Chris Maxwell's own goal in the 44th minute was all Tamworth needed to secure a memorable 1-0 victory and set up a second-round tie against another League One side.

Andy Peaks's team had a four-game losing streak in all competitions after that result, but they've since bounced back with a win in their recent league match against Dagenham & Redbridge. Dan Creaney scored two goals in a 2-1 home victory.

However, it might be tricky for them to claim a second straight win, given they've lost each of their previous three away matches.

Recent Performance

Burton Albion FA Cup form:W

Burton Albion form (all competitions):WDWWLL

Tamworth FA Cup form:WW

Tamworth form (all competitions):DLWDLW

Team News

Charlie Webster, who plays for Burton in midfield, will be out of action for three games after being sent off for violent conduct in the recent defeat to Charlton.

Captain Elliot Watt is back in action after serving a one-match suspension, while Kgaogelo Chauke is set to return to the squad following a spell on the sidelines.

Ciaran Gilligan might be in with a chance of getting a starting spot after coming back from injury to play as a substitute midweek.

The visitors will be looking to goalkeeper Jasbir Singh to keep a clean sheet after he did well in the first round against Huddersfield. Tamworth's back four of Ben Crompton, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Haydn Hollis and Luke Fairlamb should be able to support him. Creaney will continue to lead the line for the visitors, with the striker looking to add to the seven goals he has scored this season.

Possible starting lineup

Burton Albion possible starting lineup:

Crocombe; Godwin-Malife, Vancooten, Sweeney, Armer; Watt, Bannon; Whitfield, Gilligan, Kalinauskas; Orsi

Tamworth possible starting lineup:

Singh; Crompton, Cullinane-Liburd, Hollis, Fairlamb; McGlinchey, Tonks, Tshikuna, Milnes, Williams; Creaney