League One side Exeter City will be looking to cause a giant killing in the FA Cup fourth round when they host Nottingham Forest at St James Park on Tuesday.
The home side beat Oxford United 3-1 in the third round on January 11th, while their Premier League opponents saw past Luton Town on the same date when they defeated them 2-0.
Match preview
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Exeter conceded after just 14 minutes against Oxford, but two goals from attacking midfielder Demetri Mitchell, including an acrobatic strike for his first in the 22nd minute, ensured they took a 2-1 lead heading into the interval.
The Grecians are currently 18th in League One with 32 points, six points and three places above the division's final relegation spot, but they have played a game fewer than 21st-placed Burton Albion.
Boss Gary Caldwell's side were beaten 4-1 by Stevenage on February 1, and the match saw them concede their 13th goal in just three outings.
No other club in the third tier have picked up fewer points than Exeter in their last six league games having lost five and drawn one in that time, and they have in fact been defeated in six, drawn two and triumphed in just one of their last nine in all competitions.
Caldwell's team have also been poor at home considering they have lost five and been held to stalemates in two of their nine most recent fixtures at St James Park.
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As for their Premier League opponents, they kept a clean sheet against Luton in the FA Cup despite the Hatters producing three big chances, the same number that the victors managed on the day.
Nottingham Forest come into the clash having trounced Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 on February 1, with Chris Wood netting a hat-trick and Anthony Elanga registering a trio of assists.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has overseen a remarkable transformation of fortunes at the City Ground given the club are third in the Premier League with 47 points, three more than fourth-placed Chelsea and six more than fifth-placed Manchester City.
Forest were battling relegation in their prior two seasons having finished 16th in 2022-23 and 17th in 2023-24, but the team have improved in several areas including in defence, with the side's record of 27 goals conceded the third-best return in the top flight.
The visitors' form of late has been outstanding considering they have won nine of their last 11 fixtures in all competitions, though they have only twice advanced past the fourth round of the FA Cup in their 10 most recent seasons.
While Espirito Santo's side were beaten 5-0 by Bournemouth in their last away game on January 25, they triumphed in their previous four matches away from home and kept three clean sheets in that period.
Team News
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Exeter are likely to field a similar starting XI to the side that beat Oxford, so expect goalkeeper Joe Whitworth to be shielded by a back three consisting of Jack Fitzwater, Alex Hartridge and Edward Francis.
Ryan Woods and Jake Richards partnered each other in a narrow 1-0 defeat against league-leaders Birmingham City, and they could be trusted to play together on Tuesday.
As for Forest, they will not be able to select forward Callum Hudson-Odoi, though he is likely to return to action this month.
Taiwo Awoniyi is almost certain to come in for striker Wood, and he may be supported by wingers Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa.
Carlos Miguel started in goal against Luton last time out in the FA Cup, and he could be positioned behind centre-backs Willy Boly, Harry Toffolo and Morato.
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Whitworth; Fitzwater, Hartridge, Francis; McMillan, Woods, Richards, Harper; Mitchell, Watts; Magennis
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Miguel; Boly, Toffolo, Morato; Da Silva Moreira, Yates, Sangare, Moreno; Jota, Sosa; Awoniyi
We say: Exeter City 0-2 Nottingham Forest
Even without the likes of Wood and Hudson-Odoi, it is difficult to see Exeter posing much of a challenge to Nottingham Forest's exceptional defence.
Additionally, the hosts have been frail at the back in recent weeks, and they are unlikely to get back into the game should they concede first.
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Lewis Nolan
