Published Jan 7, 4:22am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Jan 7, 4:22am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Jan 7, 4:22am ET
There are few more exciting weekends on the English soccer schedule than the FA Cup third-round. Action kicks off from the Racecourse Ground, as Championship Wrexham host Premier League Nottingham Forest. Find our picks here.
There are potentially few more famous clubs in the EFL than Wrexham, with the Welsh club gaining a huge North American following when Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney gained control. Success has followed, and they come into the third-round weekend after wins in their last four Championship fixtures.
Nottingham Forest will prove to be tough opponents after gaining confidence with a win in a relegation six-pointer at West Ham on Tuesday.
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|---|---|
| Wrexham | +300 |
| The Draw | +270 |
| Nottingham Forest | -149 |
It has been a mesmeric rise through the divisions for Wrexham since Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney gained control of the team.
Three straight promotions have followed since 2022-23, and they could yet be in the hunt for a playoff spot in the Championship this season. The Welsh club have only progressed further than the third-round of the FA Cup in two of the last 25 seasons.
Home form has been one of their biggest strengths this season, losing just two of their 13 fixtures at the Racecourse Ground in the Championship.
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The main aim for Sean Dyche and his team this season is Premier League survival. Therefore, a host of first-team changes could be made for the trip to Wales this Friday.
However, confidence would have been gained after ending their losing run on Tuesday with a much-needed 2-1 success on the road against West Ham. The win gives the Tricky Trees an eight-point cushion in the battle to avoid the drop. Forest have taken the Cup seriously in recent seasons, reaching at least the fourth round in all but one of the last five campaigns.
But, given their position in the standings, it’s likely that first-team regulars such as Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, and Murillo will be rested on Friday.
| TOTAL | Wrexham | Nottingham Forest | DRAWS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Goals | 14 | 7 | 7 |
A first competitive meeting between these clubs since 1993 is set to be watched by a worldwide audience. Wrexham have come a long way in a short space of time, and they bring excellent form into this third-round weekend. The fact that Forest will make first-team changes should be assessed, meaning a giant-killing could be on the cards.
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Pick
Wrexham (+300)
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