To potentially add a level of intrigue to the tie, VAR won’t be in use in the FA Cup fourth round due to a discrepancy in facilities at the various home grounds left in the competition, which will likely be music to Forest fan’s ears as VAR was wrong to rule out Nikola Milenkovic’s goal against Southampton recently.
The fixture has another unique aspect to it as well, something which Nottingham-born pundit Chris Sutton has voiced his issue within his prediction for the tie.
Chris Sutton fumes at Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup schedule
After Forest dispatched Luton Town in the FA Cup third round, Espirito Santo will be going into another game against lower-league opposition full of confidence.
However, one odd aspect of the tie is that it will be played on a Tuesday evening rather than a standard weekend slot, something that Sutton has used his weekly BBC Sport predictions column to voice his opinion on.
Sutton said: “I know it is being televised but I don’t really understand why this game has to be on a Tuesday night, and I don’t like it.
“The timing might affect Nuno Espirito Santo’s team selection before Nottingham Forest go to Fulham on Saturday. It seems unfair they cannot play at the weekend like everyone else, and have a clear week before travelling to Craven Cottage.”
Whilst this gripe didn’t stop Sutton from predicting a 3-0 win for Forest, his issue in relation to the Fulham fixture is a fair one. Fulham face Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon in their FA Cup fourth-round tie, meaning they will have three extra days of recovery and preparation for the Forest game.
It’s certainly something for the Forest manager to consider when selecting his team, with the potential to use Forest Academy stars to play against Exeter clearly there. Whatever team he selects, though, it won’t impact Sutton’s prediction as he has an evident soft spot for the City Ground club.
Chris Sutton, former professional player and pundit looks on prior to the Viaplay Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden Park on February …
Chris Sutton has a historical soft spot for Nottingham Forest
Continuing with his prediction, Sutton said: “This is the first time that Exeter have reached the fourth round since 1980-81, and they went on to lose to eventual winners Tottenham in the quarter-finals.
“I’d love to see Forest – have I mentioned they were my boyhood team? – repeat that feat and go all the way to the final this season. If they do make it to Wembley, I will definitely be there cheering them on.”
Being from Nottingham, Sutton was a Forest fan as a child and has clearly carried that love for the club into his football career.
Thanks to this season’s remarkable run, Sutton has claimed to be a Forest supporter again which may not be so popular with the supporters who have stuck by Forest managers through the hard times in the Championship, but his roots in Nottingham make his interest in the club make sense at least.
The idea of seeing Sutton at Wembley cheering Forest on may irritate some fans if they perhaps aren’t a fan of his punditry but if that’s what it takes to get to the final stages of the FA Cup, most supporters would be arm-in-arm with the former Blackburn star.
