The FA Cup Fourth round has been full of thrills and spills but there’s just one game to go and it comes on Tuesday night. There is a chance of an upset in this Exeter City v Nottingham Forest clash, but not a big one.
The Grecians are struggling down in League One while the Tricky Trees are flying high in the top flight but anything can happen in the cup, right? Right?
Here to guide us through the action is our tipster Colin Harvey who’s put together a Bet Builder for Tuesday night’s entertainment. Let’s get into it.
Exeter v Nottingham Forest tips
Nottingham Forest (-1)
Both Teams to score
Taiwo Awoniyi to score
Exeter to receive the most cards
Ryan Woods to be shown a card
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 21/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Nottingham Forest (-1)
You might not think it on first glance but this is a tricky game to call. Sure Nottingham Forest will probably win but, from a betting perspective, what kind of team are they going to put out?
This is a bit of a minefield but you have to assume that Nuno Espirito Santo will ring the changes as he focuses on their excellent Premier League campaign which has them third in the table with 14 games to go.
You’re never completely sure how cup games are going to go but Exeter are in terrible form in the league with just two points taken form their last eight games. They’re conceding goals for fun as well, but brought in a load of players towards the end of the window so they could be stronger on Tuesday than they have been in recent weeks.
We know all about Forest and how good they are. Even if they field a second-string side they should have enough to comfortably beat their hosts by a couple of goals.
Both Teams to score
For all of Exeter’s problems, such as conceding 13 goals in their last three games, an injury list to make Ange Postecoglou wince, no wins in their last eight in the league and losing their top scorer last month, they do tend to grab a goal in most games.
They’ve scored in 12 of their last 13 games in all competitions, though they’ve not faced anyone of Forest’s quality in that run. Gary Caldwell’s side are a bit of a cup team and they knocked Luton out of the Carabao Cup last year before going on to just lose 3-2 in a thriller against Middlesbrough. This year they sent Oxford of the Championship packing down in Devon in the Third Round as well.
It’s a sell out under the lights at St James Park on Tuesday and they’ll be roared on to go at what is likely to be a much-changed Forest backline. Even if it’s a consolation there’s a decent chance they net and both teams score.
Taiwo Awoniyi to score
No-one saw the Chris Wood 2024/25 Premier League golden boot contender storyline coming but here we are. His sensational form in the top flight is the exact reason why he might be told to put his feet up on Tuesday night.
Check the team sheets but if that happens then Taiwo Awoniyi’s the man who will come in to replace the Kiwi striker. It doesn’t really matter that he’s hardly played of late, Exeter’s backline is such a basket case that he should get plenty of chances to get on the score sheet.
Exeter to receive the most cards
Forest are surely going to dictate this game but it might be slightly uncomfortable territory for them as they like to play on the break. Either way you’d fancy the Grecians to be doing most of the chasing here and that obviously lends itself to them picking up a few bookings.
Even against League One teams they’ve been upsetting the whistle blowers with 57 bookings and four reds this season. Forest are no angels but it’s a whole lot easier to pick up a card in the Premier League. This will be refereed like a League One game so Exeter are a good bet to get the most cards.
Ryan Woods to be shown a card
Talking of which, Ryan Woods is something of a connoisseur when it comes to cards. The former Birmingham, Hull and Brentford midfielder has looked out of sorts of late but he’ll be selected as the main enforcer in central midfield for the home side.
He’s picked up nine bookings and a red this season and is a bit of a triple threat with late tackles, backchat to the ref and a penchant for a professional foul. If Forest do give City the runaround, as we expect, then Woods is a great shout to pick up a card.
Exeter v Nottingham Forest tips
Nottingham Forest (-1)
Both Teams to score
Taiwo Awoniyi to score
Exeter to receive the most cards
Ryan Woods to be shown a card
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 21/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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