FA Cup Preview: Blackpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction, Preview, and Odds (Jan 17)

• League One Blackpool looking to create a cup upset by eliminating Nottingham Forest
• Forest were below their high standard in the first meeting after playing out a draw

One of the big cup upsets in the FA Cup third round could come at Bloomfield Road on Wednesday, as League One Blackpool will have home field advantage for their replay against Nottingham Forest. But, can the hosts cause a major upset and progress through to the fourth round?

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How To Watch

• When: Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 2:45 p.m ET
• Where: Bloomfield Road, Blackpool, England
• How To Watch: ESPN

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Odds

Match Result	Odds
Blackpool
Draw
Nottingham Forest

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Match Preview

Nottingham Forest would have been widely expected to have assured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup without the need for a replay when the draw was made. However, the East Midlands side were well below their usual standards in their first meeting against Blackpool a couple of weeks ago, as the sides played out a draw.

It was a thrilling clash between the two sides, and Blackpool may have felt that they had done enough to capture a spot in the next round after jumping into a 2-0 lead after 27 minutes. They opened the scoring through Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel after 25 minutes, before Albie Morgan added a second just two minutes later.

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Back among the goals. 🤩

🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/HXnlmmHXh8

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) January 11, 2024

However, Forest gave themselves a lifeline before the half-time break, and they netted a stunning equalizer with just over half an hour remaining through Morgan Gibbs-White. Forest would have been appeased to see their 53-game losing streak after conceding twice come to an end, as it was the first time since a 2-2 draw with Birmingham in 2018 that they had come back from two goals down.

Blackpool could be primed to cause a shock result this week, just as they did in the third round of the competition last term at Bloomfield Road. On that occasion, the Tangerines recorded a 4-1 win over their Premier League rivals. However, it will likely be a more testing fixture this week.

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Blackpool vs Nottingham Forest Prediction

If there is to be a shock in the third round replays this week, then this looks to be the best chance. We like the chances of Blackpool securing a place in the fourth round, as Forest will likely field a weakened team ahead of their Premier League commitments. 

Free Pick: