Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich - Preview, Best Bets & H2H Record
- JN Value Betting
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
BEST BETS:
MURILLO - TO BE FOULED 1+ TIME - 9/4 (SKY BET) - 0.5PTS
GEORGE HIRST - TO COMMIT 2+ FOULS - 6/4 (SKY BET) - 0.75PTS
GEORGE HIRST - TO COMMIT 3+ FOULS - 5/1 (SKY BET) - 0.5PTS
GEORGE HIRST - TO COMMIT 4+ FOULS - 14/1 (SKY BET) - 0.25PTS
A trip to the AmEx awaits the winner of Nottingham Forest and Ipswich, with the lure of Wembley edging ever closer. It's been a dream season for Forest, who sit third in the Premier League, and just one game away from the FA Cup Quarter-Finals. Nuno Espirito Santo's side look set for a European tour next season, but I am sure they'll be keen to take care of matters closer to home prior to that. As previously mentioned, this competition has opened up for a whole host of sides, with just Manchester City being the only side to remain in the competition to have won a major honour in the last 18 years. Visitors Ipswich are the last side in the draw, aside from Manchester City to have won the FA Cup, and manager Kieran McKenna has labelled this competition as a 'welcome distraction' from his side's relegation battle in the Premier League.
The Ipswich boss has hinted at changes, and looks set to stick loyal to those who have played in previous rounds, and that could spell the reintroduction of George Hirst. He was on the scoresheet in the 4-1 victory over Coventry in Round Four, and could give a welcome rest to top scorer Liam Delap. Much like Delap, Hirst makes his presence felt when leading the line, and has committed 2.35 fouls per 90 this season. That has seen him commit 2+ fouls in both his starts, following on from him averaging 1.16 fouls committed in the Championship last season. I was drawn to the prices available on Hirst to commit fouls in this one, with him being 6/4 to commit 2+ fouls, and that is as short as 8/15 elsewhere. Should he get a starting place, and at least 70 minutes, he could easily commit multiple fouls, and I am happy to ladder these selections, with small plays on 3+ and 4+.
There are three options at McKenna's disposal for this one, with Hirst, Delap and Chaplin being available. All of these players are capable of 'throwing their weight around', and that should lead to fouls on the Forest defensive players. Therefore, I am keen to take the 9/4 on offer for Murillo to be fouled at least once. The Brazilian was fouled in the league fixture between the two sides, and with the attacking options for Ipswich being Hirst (2.35 fouls committed per 90), Delap (2.59 fouls committed per 90) and Chaplin (1.23 fouls committed per 90) I can see him being fouled in this one as well.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
LAST 5 MATCHES:
30/11/2024 - NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 Ipswich (Premier League)
16/03/2019 - Ipswich 1-1 Nottingham Forest (Championship)
01/12/2018 - NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2-0 Ipswich (Championship)
14/04/2018 - NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2-1 Ipswich (Championship)
02/12/2017 - IPSWICH 4-2 Nottingham Forest (Championship)
