Set to take place on February 11, 2025, at 20:00 GMT+0, Exeter City and Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup fourth-round clash St James Park in Exeter will host the game; the stadium has 8,219 capacity. Kitchen A. (England) will handle game refereeing. Representing League One, Exeter will try to upset Nottingham Forest, a Premier League team, in a classic football David against Goliath battle.
Following a 3-1 triumph over Oxford United, the hosts reserved their spot in this round; Nottingham Forest advanced by 2-0 defeat over Luton Town. Exeter will want to take use of their home advantage even if they are strong underdogs. On the other hand, Forest, who is having a great season, will try to avoid any shocks and gently move to the next FA Cup level.
BETTING TIPS AND MATCH INSIGHTS
The Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest prediction today leans heavily in favor of the visitors, given their superior league standing and current form. Currently third on the standings, Nottingham Forest is having a great Premier League campaign. Exeter, on the other hand, is suffering in 18th position in League One; defensive deficiencies have caused major trouble in most recent games.
Exeter has lost 13 goals in their last three league games, hence this is a challenging encounter for them; Nottingham Forest’s recent 7-0 demolition of Brighton shows their attacking strength. Although cup ties have always been renowned for shocks, Exeter’s weak home records and Forest’s strong away record point to a likely visitor comfort level. With a strong defensive system, expect Forest to rule possession and generate lots of scoring possibilities.
Exeter City Results
Exeter City lost greatly in recent League One games and has struggled overall. Their defensive flaws have been revealed often, which makes consistency challenging for them. Here is their last five game stats:
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 01.02.25 | League One | Stevenage vs. Exeter | 4-1 | L |
| 28.01.25 | League One | Exeter vs. Leyton Orient | 2-6 | L |
| 25.01.25 | League One | Exeter vs. Blackpool | 1-3 | L |
| 21.01.25 | League One | Peterborough vs. Exeter | 1-1 | D |
| 18.01.25 | League One | Birmingham vs. Exeter | 1-0 | L |
Exeter has lost four of their previous five games and given up fifteen goals in that run. Particularly at home, their defensive challenges expose them to vulnerability against more formidable adversaries. Their confidence is probably low heading into this FA Cup fixture given just one win in their past nine games.
Nottingham Forest Results
Conversely, Nottingham Forest has been in exceptional form, especially at home, although they did lose heavily away to Bournemouth. Their present record is as follows:
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | W/L |
| 01.02.25 | Premier League | Nottingham vs. Brighton | 7-0 | W |
| 25.01.25 | Premier League | Bournemouth vs. Nottingham | 5-0 | L |
| 19.01.25 | Premier League | Nottingham vs. Southampton | 3-2 | W |
| 14.01.25 | Premier League | Nottingham vs. Liverpool | 1-1 | D |
| 11.01.25 | FA Cup | Nottingham vs. Luton | 2-0 | W |
Out of their last five games, forest has won three, including a major triumph over Brighton. Though they lost 5-0 against Bournemouth, they have shown fortitude in recovery. Having two straight clean sheets, their FA Cup defensive record has been strong.
Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Matches
There is no recent history between these two sides in competitive fixtures, making this an intriguing battle.
Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineups
Both Exeter City and Nottingham Forest are set to make some squad changes ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round game. Exeter will probably present a similar lineup to the one that guaranteed triumph over Oxford United in the next round. Nottingham Forest might rotate some players in meantime, but their core players will still be crucial to prevent an upheaval. These are both clubs’ expected starting lines.
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Whitworth (GK); Fitzwater (DF), Hartridge (DF), Richards (DF), McMillan (DF); Francis (MF), Woods (MF); Harper (MF), Mitchell (MF), Watts (MF); Magennis (FW)
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Miguel (GK); Boly (DF), Toffolo (DF), Morato (DF); Da Silva Moreira (MF), Yates (MF), Sangare (MF), Moreno (MF); Jota (FW), Sosa (FW); Awoniyi (FW)
Unavailable Players for Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest
Both clubs will have to deal with suspensions and injuries, which can affect their strategies and lineup decisions. The players below are confirmed or most likely to be absent for the forthcoming game.
| Team | Player | Reason | Expected Return |
| Nottingham Forest | Callum Hudson-Odoi | Injury | Later this month |
| Exeter City | No major absences reported | – | – |
Callum Hudson-Odoi will be missed by Nottingham Forest, therefore lowering their left wing attacking possibilities. Still, Taiwo Awoniyi is supposed to spearhead the attack in his absence. Exeter, on the other hand, looks to be in good shape as they try to pull off an upset; they have no big injury worries before of this game.
Key Factors to Consider Before the Match
Both teams come into this fixture with contrasting form and ambitions. Here are the key aspects to keep in mind:
- Exeter’s Poor Form: Just one win in their last nine matches across all competitions;
- Defensive Struggles: Exeter have conceded 13 goals in their last three matches;
- Nottingham Forest’s Offensive Power: Scored seven goals against Brighton in their last game;
- FA Cup History: Forest have only advanced past the fourth round twice in the last 10 seasons;
- Squad Depth: Forest are likely to rotate, but still possess a stronger squad;
- Injury Concerns: Callum Hudson-Odoi remains unavailable for Forest;
- Exeter’s Home Struggles: Five defeats in their last nine home games;
- Forest’s Defensive Strength: Third-best defense in the Premier League (27 goals conceded).
Free Tips on Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest
Examining a game like Exeter City against Nottingham Forest requires one to take several factors into account that might affect the result at last. Knowing the subtleties of both sides can help you make predictions from recent form to tactical approaches. These important ideas and betting advice should enable you to make wise judgments before this FA Cup match.
- Exeter City have struggled at St James Park, losing five of their last nine home matches. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest, despite a recent 5-0 away loss to Bournemouth, had won their previous four away games, keeping three clean sheets. The visitors’ ability to perform well on the road could be a decisive factor in this fixture.
- Nottingham Forest are playing in a physically demanding Premier League season, and squad rotation may be a factor. Exeter, however, have had a slightly less intense schedule but are struggling with form and squad depth. Fatigue could play a role, especially if Forest field some second-choice players to rest key starters.
- St James Park has a natural grass pitch, which could slightly favor Exeter, as they are more accustomed to it. Additionally, heavy rain or cold conditions could impact the match tempo, making it harder for Forest’s technical players to control possession. Checking the weather forecast before betting on total goals or passing-based markets is advisable.
- For Exeter, this is a huge opportunity to cause an upset against a top-tier side, meaning they may play with extra motivation. However, Forest are competing at a higher level and have more to lose. If they underestimate their opponents, it could lead to a more competitive game than expected. Motivation plays a crucial role, especially in knockout football.
- Referee Kitchen A. is in charge of this game. Some referees have tendencies to give more yellow or red cards than others, affecting specific bet types such as “total cards in a match.” If Kitchen A. is known for strict officiating, it might lead to a cautious approach from both teams or an advantage for Forest, who have more discipline and experience at a higher level.
By taking these factors into account, you can make a more data-driven approach when betting on Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
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Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest Prediction 2025
Looking at the Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest odds, the Premier League side are clear favorites. Forest have been in incredible form, with nine wins in their last 11 matches across all competitions. Exeter, in contrast, have struggled both defensively and offensively in League One.
Exeter may look to frustrate Forest with a compact defensive approach, but their lack of quality in attack will likely see them struggle to create meaningful chances. Forest, despite making some rotations, should still have more than enough firepower to break through Exeter’s fragile backline. With Taiwo Awoniyi leading the attack, Nottingham Forest should secure a comfortable victory.
Our Prediction: Exeter City 0-2 Nottingham Forest
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Nottingham Forest Win | 1.26 |
| Correct Score | 0-2 | 7.0 |
| Total Goals | Under 3.5 Goals | 1.63 |
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