Bristol City v Nottingham Forest predictions: Robins can rock another top flight opponent
- Nottingham Forest have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last 12 fixtures
- Bristol City have lost just two of their last nine matches
- Recommended bet: Bristol City Draw no bet
Bristol City delivered one of the biggest shocks of the FA Cup third round by knocking West Ham out of the competition, and they will be eyeing up another Premier League scalp as they prepare to tackle Nottingham Forest at Ashton Gate.
The Robins were EFL Cup semi-finalists in the 2017-18 campaign but have had a poor recent record in the FA Cup, suffering 11 third-round exits in the last 17 seasons.
Forest have not played in an FA Cup final since suffering a 2-1 extra-time loss to Tottenham in 1991.
However, they reached the quarter-finals as a Championship club in 2021-22 after starting off with a memorable 1-0 success at home to Arsenal.
Team news
Bristol City will not be able to call on loan signing Scott Twine, who is cup-tied, having featured for Hull in the third round.
Mark Sykes, Kal Naismith (both hamstring), Rob Atkinson and Ayman Benarous (both knee) are also unavailable.
Moussa Niakhate (knock), Morgan Gibbs-White (chest), Divock Origi (groin) and Anthony Elanga (unspecified injury) are major doubts after missing last Saturday's 3-2 Premier League loss at Brentford.
Taiwo Awoniyi (thigh) and Felipe (thigh) are sidelined, and a lengthy absentee list is completed by Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina, Cheikhou Kouyate, Willy Boly, Serge Aurier, who are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The stats
Bristol City have lost just two of their last nine matches, while the Robins have been victorious in each of their last three FA Cup fourth-round ties.
All of City's last six matches have featured fewer than three goals, and two of City's previous three home wins have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
Nottingham Forest are undefeated on their last four visits to Ashton Gate, but Forest have not kept a clean sheet in 12 consecutive games, and they have shipped at least two goals in each of their last three fixtures.
Five of Forest's last six matches have generated at least four goals.
Prediction
Bristol City needed two bites at the cherry to come through their third-round tie against West Ham, but they have every chance of defeating Nottingham Forest at the first attempt.
Liam Manning's side overcame the Hammers with an energetic display in the replay at Ashton Gate, winning 1-0, and they are capable of causing problems for Forest, who are likely to be more concerned with the battle for Premier League survival.
Reaching the Championship play-offs is Bristol City's main aim, but they were fully committed to both matches against West Ham and reaped the rewards.
The Robins are likely to be just as focused and competitive this week, and they can advance at least a step further.
Forest were taken to a replay and extra-time by League One Blackpool in the third round, and they will have to raise their game to have a decent chance of reaching the round of 16.
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