Nottingham Forest is set to host Bristol City in a FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday at the City Ground.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s team ended in a 0-0 draw with Bristol City at Ashton Gate on January 26. Both teams have a history of winning replays.
Match preview
In their first match at Ashton Gate, Nottingham Forest and Bristol City had 16 shots but failed to score, resulting in a fair draw.
Both teams equally controlled the game with 50% possession each. This draw is part of Forest’s four-game streak without a win, showing that the new manager’s impact is fading.
Forest recently faced narrow defeats to Brentford and Arsenal and managed a draw against Bournemouth, where Callum Hudson-Odoi’s fantastic goal made it even.
Despite playing with an extra player for the last 15 minutes, they couldn’t win and are just two points above the relegation zone.
Arsenal’s victory at the City Ground marked Forest’s fifth home loss in seven games. However, Bristol City, like Forest, has a knack for winning replays, having knocked out West Ham United in a previous round.
Bristol City’s win over West Ham is their only victory in the last nine games across all competitions. They now aim to reach the FA Cup’s fifth round for the fourth time in six seasons, despite a poor record in away matches.
Nottingham Forest FA Cup form:
D W D
Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):
D W L D L D
Bristol City FA Cup form:
D W D
Bristol City form (all competitions):
L W D D D L
Team News
Billing from Bournemouth was sent off in their last game, and Hudson-Odoi might miss the replay due to injury. Forest can’t play Divock Origi or Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists Ola Aina, Willy Boly, and Ibrahim Sangare.
Cheikhou Kouyate might also miss the game due to personal reasons. With potential absences, Ribeiro or Giovanni Reyna could start. Forest has a choice between goalkeepers Matt Turner, Odysseas Vlachodimos, and Matz Sels.
Bristol City, without international players missing, can’t use Scott Twine as he’s cup-tied. Mark Sykes and Rob Atkinson are returning from injuries but likely won’t play yet.
Taylor Gardner-Hickman and Anis Mehmeti might play to strengthen the team.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels;
Montiel, Omobamidele, Murillo, Tavares;
Danilo, Dominguez;
Elanga, Gibbs-White, Reyna;
Awoniyi
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
O’Leary;
Tanner, Dickie, Vyner;
McCrorie, Gardner-Hickman, James, Pring;
Knight, Mehmeti;
Conway
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Bristol City
Forest, not as sharp in attack lately, faces a Bristol City team struggling away from home. Despite concerns over Hudson-Odoi’s fitness, Forest might secure a narrow win and advance to face Manchester United in the next round.