Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Match Preview
The magic of the FA Cup descends on the Racecourse Ground this weekend as Championship high-flyers Wrexham host Premier League side Nottingham Forest. This Third Round tie has all the ingredients of a classic “giant-killing.” Wrexham are in sensational form, having won four consecutive Championship matches, including a thrilling 5–3 victory over Sheffield United and gritty away wins at Derby and Blackburn. The “Hollywood” club is buzzing and full of confidence.
Nottingham Forest arrive in North Wales with mixed emotions. While they snapped a four-game losing streak with a vital 2–1 win over West Ham on Wednesday (Jan 7), their recent form has been worrying, with defeats to Everton, Aston Villa, and Man City. With Premier League survival likely the priority, Nuno Espirito Santo (or the current manager) faces a dilemma: rotate the squad or field a strong XI to avoid an upset against a Wrexham side that smells blood?
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Match Info
- Competition: FA Cup (Third Round)
- Venue: Racecourse Ground, Wrexham (Capacity: 13,341)
- Date: Sunday, 11 January 2026 (Predicted date based on Jan 7 fixture)
- Kickoff: 14:00 GMT | 09:00 ET
- Referee: Paul Tierney (ENG)
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Match Stakes
Wrexham (Championship):
- Win → A massive statement; proves they can compete with Premier League opposition and keeps the “Hollywood” fairy tale alive.
- Draw → Earns a lucrative replay at the City Ground.
- Loss → Focus returns fully to the Championship promotion push.
Nottingham Forest (Premier League):
- Win → Builds on the West Ham victory; generates momentum and avoids embarrassing headlines.
- Draw → Adds an unwanted fixture to a congested calendar.
- Loss → A “Cup shock” disaster; heaps pressure on the manager and dents the fragile confidence built from the midweek win.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Team News
Wrexham:
- Full Strength: Expect Phil Parkinson to name his strongest available XI.
- Paul Mullin: The talisman (if fit/available) lives for these occasions.
- Elliot Lee: The creative spark in midfield who will look to unlock Forest’s defense.
- Home Advantage: The Racecourse atmosphere will be hostile and electric.
Nottingham Forest:
- Rotation Likely: Having played just days ago on Jan 7, changes are expected.
- Gibbs-White M. — Might start to control the game against his former fierce rivals (Wolves connection).
- Hudson-Odoi C. — Pace on the break will be Forest’s main weapon.
- Defensive Fragility: Conceding 8 goals in their last 5 games suggests vulnerability Wrexham can exploit.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Wrexham
- 04/01 — 2–1 vs Derby (Championship)
- 01/01 — 2–0 vs Blackburn (Championship)
- 30/12 — 2–1 vs Preston (Championship)
- 26/12 — 5–3 vs Sheffield Utd (Championship)
- 20/12 — 1–2 vs Swansea (Championship)
Nottingham Forest
- 07/01 — 2–1 vs West Ham (Premier League)
- 03/01 — 1–3 vs Aston Villa (Premier League)
- 31/12 — 0–2 vs Everton (Premier League)
- 27/12 — 1–2 vs Man City (Premier League)
- 23/12 — 0–1 vs Fulham (Premier League)
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Head-to-Head
- No recent competitive meetings.
- This adds to the intrigue, as there is no psychological baggage between the two current squads.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Wrexham (3-5-2)
Okonkwo; O’Connell, O’Connor, Cleworth; Barnett, Lee, Dobson, Cannon, McClean; Mullin, Palmer
Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)
Sels; Williams, Murillo, Omobamidele, Toffolo; Yates, Danilo; Elanga, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Impact Bench
Wrexham: Fletcher (Target man), Marriott (Pace)
Nottingham Forest: Wood (Aerial threat), Gibbs-White (Creative class)
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Tactical Analysis
Wrexham
Wrexham will play with high intensity, feeding off the crowd. Their 3-5-2 system allows them to overload the wings with wing-backs like Ryan Barnett or James McClean delivering crosses for Mullin and Palmer. They have scored 11 goals in their last 4 games, so they won’t sit back. They will press Forest high, hoping to force errors from a rotated backline.
Nottingham Forest
Forest have superior technical quality but must match Wrexham’s fight. Their plan will be to absorb the early pressure and use the blistering pace of Elanga and Hudson-Odoi in transition. If they can control the midfield through Ryan Yates’ physicality, they should be able to silence the crowd, but any complacency will be punished.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Key Battles
- Mullin vs Murillo — The lower-league predator vs the Premier League elite defender.
- Lee vs Yates — Creative flair vs Midfield steel.
- McClean vs Williams — A physical battle on the flank.
- The Crowd vs The Referee — Paul Tierney will have a tough job managing the atmosphere at the Racecourse.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Spotlight Players
Wrexham — Paul Mullin
The man for the big occasion. If Wrexham are to pull off an upset, “Super Paul Mullin” will almost certainly be involved in the goals.
Nottingham Forest — Anthony Elanga
His speed is a cheat code against Championship defenses. If Wrexham leave space behind their wing-backs, Elanga could tear them apart on the counter.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Prediction
Wrexham 2–2 Nottingham Forest
This smells like a classic cup tie. Wrexham are in irresistible form and scoring for fun, while Forest are shaky at the back but have Premier League firepower. Expect a high-scoring thriller that ends in a draw, forcing a replay at the City Ground which Forest will likely not want.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Betting Insights
- Both Teams to Score — High Probability (Wrexham scoring freely; Forest leaking goals).
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely.
- Wrexham Double Chance (Win or Draw) — Value Bet (Momentum is with the home side).
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — Where to Watch
- UK: BBC One / ITV (Likely TV Selection)
- USA: ESPN+
- International: DAZN / Viaplay
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest — FAQs
Q: When is the Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest match?
A: The match is expected to be played on Sunday, 11 January 2026 (subject to confirmation).
Q: What league is Wrexham in?
A: Wrexham are currently in the EFL Championship (2nd Tier).
Q: Have they played before?
A: No recent competitive matches found.
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