Exeter vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Nuno’s men to cruise to the next round

The FA Cup fourth-round weekend spills over into a fifth consecutive day as Exeter and Nottingham Forest bring it to a close on Tuesday (20:00, ITV1) at St James Park. The Grecians have won just one game in their last eight appearances in all competitions heading into this clash.

The visitors are flying in the Premier League and head to Devon off the back of a 7-0 hammering of Brighton & Hove Albion. Check out my Exeter vs Nottingham Forest predictions below, aided by the latest team news and match odds.

Exeter vs Nottingham Forest Odds

Exeter's disappointing form of late, as well as the calibre of their opponents, has them marketed at 10/1 to pull off an upset in 90 minutes. The draw can be backed at 5/1, which has been a successful bet in two of Exeter's past five home appearances in all competitions.

Forest are 1/4 to prevail in regulation time but you will find better value in backing them to win to nil at 21/20 (which carries an implied probability of 48.8%), which has struck in six of their last seven victories in all competitions.

This also makes BTTS No an alluring selection at 10/11 (52.4%).

Football Odds

Team News

Exeter boss Gary Caldwell could opt for a similar XI to the one that defeated Oxford United in the third round, but with a crunch clash with Cambridge United in League 1 coming up on Saturday, key players may be rested in midweek. Goalkeeper Joe Whitworth is likely to be shielded by a back three consisting of Jack Fitzwater, Alex Hartridge and Edward Francis, though.

Ryan Woods and Jake Richards partnered each other in the middle of the park in the slender 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City on January 18, so this duo might be seen again when the Tricky Trees come to town.

The hosts have no fresh injury concerns to contend with heading into this cup tie.

Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo will look to progress in the cup, but focus remains firmly on their top-four pursuit in the Champions League. They have a big game to look ahead to at the weekend, too, as they travel to Fulham, who beat them at the City Ground back in September.

Changes will be in the offing in Devon, with striker Chris Wood likely to be rested, presenting a chance to impress for Taiwo Awoniyi. Callum Hudson-Odoi remains out with a groin issue, but the winger is believed to be in line to return later this month.

Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva, who scored against Brighton, should join Awoniyi in attack, so Anthony Elanga and Morgan Gibbs-White can be saved for the trip to the capital.

Carlos Miguel started between the sticks against Luton last time out in the FA Cup, and he may be positioned behind centre-backs Willy Boly, Harry Toffolo and Morato. Ryan Yates may return to the midfield and there's a good chance he'll be joined by Ibrahim Sangare.

Nottingham Forest to win to nil @ 21/20

Forest's defence have been exceptional this season and have been a driving force in their Champions League push. They have kept 11 clean sheets across all competitions this season and on each of those occasions the Tricky Trees have won.

Even with changes, I'm expecting Forest to get past Exeter without too much fuss. The Grecians have been far too easy to score against in recent weeks and the last thing they need right now is to face a team who pumped another Premier League side 7-0 last time out.

I struggle to see Exeter's attacking players causing the Forest defence too many problems, either, so I think there is great value in backing the visitors to win to nil on Tuesday night.

Taiwo Awoniyi anytime goalscorer @ 4/6

Wood has been in phenomenal form since Nuno took charge of Forest in December 2023, and it has made starting opportunities for Awoniyi hard to come by. The attacker will be relishing the chance to get a valuable run out at Exeter.

He will fancy his chances to get back among the goals considering the Grecians have conceded 14 goals in their last three matches, so the defenders he will be coming up against will be drained of confidence.

Awoniyi can profit from this and play his part in securing Forest's place in the fifth round.

Offers

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.