Blackpool host Nottingham Forest at Bloomfield Road in their Third Round replay in the 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory will see either Blackpool or Forest head to Bristol City in the Fourth Round, with the tie scheduled for 7:45pm GMT on Friday 26 January.
Team News
Matthew Pennington could feature for Blackpool if he has recovered from a concussion which forced him to miss their League One win over Exeter last weekend.
Kenny Dougall (unspecified) is a doubt but loanee, Hayden Coulson is cup-tied after he featured in Middlesbrough’s narrow defeat to Aston Villa.
Jake Beesley (knock) and Kylian Kouassi (hamstring) remain ruled out.
Forest have no fresh injury concerns after their shortened winter break, with Anthony Elanga (knock) and Divock Origi (groin) both still sidelined.
Ola Aina, Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, Cheikhou Kouyate, Moussa Niakhate and Ibrahim Sangare (all international duty), Felipe (muscle) and Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Blackpool host Forest at Bloomfield Road on Wednesday 17 January in a 7:45pm GMT kick-off, live on ITV4 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Blackpool are unbeaten in two previous FA Cup meetings against Nottingham Forest (W1, D1), although is the first FA Cup tie between the pair to need a replay.
- Forest lost 4-1 in their only previous visit to Blackpool in the FA Cup, which came in the Third Round last season.
- Blackpool have scored first in each of their two previous FA Cup clashes against Forest.
- Blackpool lost their only FA Cup replay at home to Premier League opposition this century (L1), which came against Fulham at this stage in January 2013.
- Forest are unbeaten in three previous FA Cup replays away to lower league opposition this century (W3).
Prediction
With one loss in their last ten home matches in all competitions, Blackpool certainly won’t fear this replay if they can continue to play like they’ve done lately but they can’t afford to let a lead slip like they did at the City Ground in the initial tie.
Forest meanwhile rightly could of done without this replay as noted by manager, Nuno Espirito Santo because their league trip to Brentford is now must-win, especially with a looming points deduction but they do have enough quality to avoid a cupset if so wish.
Bloomfield Road though has been a tricky place for oppositional clubs to visit in recent months so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tangerines spring a cupset, but Forest have had a short break which could work to their advantage as the game wears on.
Prediction: Blackpool 1-2 Nottingham Forest
Result: Blackpool 2-3 Nottingham Forest (After Extra Time)
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