Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool Prediction: Little trouble for Forest

Nottingham Forest look to have turned a corner under Nuno Espirito Santo, but will that continue in the FA Cup?  

With League One opposition up next in Blackpool, Forest have a great chance to ease into the fourth round and maintain their improved form. 

Team News

Blackpool head into this one with no injury concerns, although they could make some changes as pushing into League One's playoff spots is a bigger focus for the Tangerines.  

Forest have lost Moussa Niakhate, Ibrahim Sangare, Serge Aurier, Ola Aina and Cheikhou Kouyate to Africa Cup of Nations duty. Striker Taiwo Awoniyi is also out with a groin injury, opening a space for Chris Wood to start up top.  

Match Odds 

Nottingham Forest are as short as 2/5 to win this tie, with Blackpool 7/1 outsiders for the upset. With the hosts in-form and heavily favoured, over 2.5 goals is also priced quite short at 8/13.  

Nottingham Forest -1 Handicap @ 21/20

Forest head into their first fixture of 2024 on a high, having beaten Manchester United and Newcastle in their last two games. New manager Nuno has put the club on a path to survival, but the FA Cup could prove a welcome relief from the stresses of a relegation battle. 

Forest kick things off against a third tier side, which offers the chance to keep their winning run intact. When you consider that Blackpool came up against Wolves in the EFL Cup earlier this season and were hammered 5-0, their prospects for this trip look rather bleak. 

Forest may have been earmarked for a giant-killing before their upturn in form and they could use a big home victory. This competition has been kind to them at the City Ground in recent seasons, with the Tricky Trees winning five of their last six home ties, including two victories over Arsenal.  

Considering Blackpool's previous EFL Cup loss to Premier League opposition and the gulf between the teams, back the in-form hosts to cover a -1 handicap at a shade above evens.  

Chris Wood to score anytime @ 13/10 

Forest should turn to Wood to lead the line on Sunday, with the forward scoring in recent clashes with Bournemouth and former club Newcastle. He has netted seven Premier League goals for the campaign, with over half of those coming in three games under Nuno. 

The forward looks perfectly suited to how his new boss wants to play and should have another chance to nail down his place in the team with an impressive display. Wood is playing well and he is about to face a Blackpool side who were torn apart by Wolves' reserves earlier this season.  

This tie looks perfectly suited for a strong showing from the 32-year-old and he is worth backing to find the net at 13/10.