Wrexham held their nerve through a penalty shootout to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup after an incredible tie against Nottingham Forest.
The hosts took control of the match with two goals in the first half, the first from Liverato Cacace and the second from Ollie Rathbone, as they attempted to inflict defeat on their Premier League opponents.
Sean Dyche made changes at the break and instilled a new belief in Forest who pulled a goal back through Igor Jesus only for Dominic Hyam to restore Wrexham’s two-goal cushion.
Callum Hudson-Odoi came off the bench and scored a brace, including a dramatic late equaliser, to force the match into extra-time and penalties.
The final word went to Arthur Okonkwo though as the Wrexham goalkeeper saved two penalties including the decisive one to ensure the Red Dragons advance to the next round.
Relive the action from the Racecourse Ground with our live blog below:
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest live
- Wrexham advance 4-3 on penalties afte beating Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round
- 90' GOAL! Equaliser for Forest! (WRE 3-3 NFO)
- 76' GOAL! Hudson-Odoi pulls another back for Forest (WRE 3-2 NFO)
- 74' GOAL! Hyam nods Wrexham further ahead (WRE 3-1 NFO)
- 63' GOAL! Jesus' header pulls one back for visitors (WRE 2-1 NFO)
- 40' GOAL! Rathbone slots in second goal (WRE 2-0 NFO)
- 37' GOAL! Cacace sends Wrexham into the lead (WRE 1-0 NFO)
- 17’ NO GOAL! Douglas Luiz’s strike is ruled out for handball (WRE 0-0 NFO)
Arthur Okonkwo’s penalty shootout heroics causes FA Cup shock as Wrexham beat Nottingham Forest
22:42 , Mike JonesWrexham won an FA Cup third-round thriller in front of Hollywood owner Ryan Reynolds as Nottingham Forest were dumped out of the competition on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
Arthur Okonkwo was the Wrexham hero with stops from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson giving them a 4-3 victory on spot-kicks after Josh Windass, Callum Doyle, George Thomason and Jay Rodriguez had converted from the spot.
Arthur Okonkwo’s heroics causes FA Cup shock as Wrexham beat Nottingham Forest
Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo speaking to TNT Sports:
22:31 , Mike Jones"Thankfully we have good analysis people to help us out. I had a look at it before the game so really happy to make the two saves and help us win the game.
"The manager spoke to us before the game, told us about the history of the club and how we're able to beat teams who are way above us.
"It was amazing to win the game in the end. We just have to enjoy the moment."
Oxford also through
22:25 , Mike JonesOxford United have reached the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since 2019-20.
They defeated MK Dons in a penalty shootout as well.
Wrexham reach fourth round after penalty shootout
22:25 , Mike Jones
History for Port Vale
22:21 , Mike JonesElsewhwere, Port Vale have reached the FA Cup fourth round for just the third time this century, previously doing so in 2005-06 and 2013-14.
Wrexham reach fourth round after penalty shootout
22:20 , Mike JonesWrexham held their nerve through a penalty shootout to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup after an incredible tie against Nottingham Forest.
The hosts took control of the match with two goals in the first half, the first from Liverato Cacace and the second from Ollie Rathbone, as they attempted to inflict defeat on their Premier League opponents.
Sean Dyche made changes at the break and instilled a new belief in Forest who pulled a goal back through Igor Jesus only for Dominic Hyam to restore Wrexham’s two-goal cushion.
Callum Hudson-Odoi came off the bench and scored a brace, including a dramatic late equaliser, to force the match into extra-time and penalties.
The final word went to Arthur Okonkwo though as the Wrexham goalkeeper saved two penalties including the decisive one to ensure the Red Dragons advance to the next round.
Penalties: Wrexham 4-3 Forest
22:13 , Mike JonesOmari Hutchinson is up.
He’s only 21-year-old and drills the penalty to Okonkwo’s left.
The goalkeeper chooses the correct way and keeps it out!
Wrexham are through to the fourth round. They’ve beaten Nottingham Forest on penalties!
Penalties: Wrexham 4-3 Forest
22:12 , Mike JonesCalm as you like from Jay Rodriguez who slots it into the bottom right corner.
Forest have to score...
Penalties: Wrexham 3-3 Forest
22:11 , Mike JonesHere comes Neco Williams for Forest.
He slots the shot underneath Okonkwo and Forest level.
The pressure is on.
Penalties: Wrexham 3-2 Forest
22:11 , Mike JonesGeorge Thomason came off the bench for Wrexham and he does his job!
Sels gets his hand to the shot but there’s too much power and Wrexham go ahead again.
Penalties: Wrexham 2-2 Forest
22:10 , Mike JonesCallum Hudson-Odoi is up next. He was the hero in the second half and lofts his penalty into the top right corner.
Penalties: Wrexham 2-1 Forest
22:09 , Mike JonesCallum Doyle slots in his penalty and sends the fans cheering again.
Penalties: Wrexham 1-1 Forest
22:08 , Mike JonesAdvantage Forest.
Igor Jesus can complete the advantage. He takes a big run up and goes to the left but Akonkwo leaps the correct way.
It’s a pacey shot but the goalkeeper keeps it out!
Incredible from the Wrexham goalie.
Penalties: Wrexham 1-1 Forest
22:07 , Mike JonesNow it’s the turn of James McClean for Wrexham.
Captain follows captain.
McClean doesn’t look nervous but he smashes his effort high and wide!
Penalties: Wrexham 1-1 Forest
22:07 , Mike JonesMorgan Gibbs-White strides forward to a chorus of boos from the home fans.
He sends his penalty to the right of Arthur Akonkwo who dives the opposite way.
Penalties: Wrexham 1-0 Forest
22:06 , Mike JonesJosh Windass is up first and goes against Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels.
Windass sends the penalty down the middle. Easy.
Penalties: Wrexham 0-0 Forest
22:03 , Mike JonesNeither of these teams deserve to go out after that thrilling game but one of them will.
The Wrexham fans are sitting behind the goal and have already seen their team win a shootout at the Racecourse this season.
Can they do so again?
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
22:02 , Mike Jones120 mins: Callum Hudson-Odoi has been awarded the player of the match award.
He swings in a cross in what is the final action of the match.
He doesn’t find a teammate and this tie will be decided by penalties.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:58 , Mike Jones117 mins: Igor Jesus finds a touch of space on the edge of the box and pokes a shot towards goal that Akonkwo drops on top of.
Time is ticking away with both teams pushing for the winner.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:55 , Mike Jones114 mins: Forest are in possession but Dan Scarr wins it back with a headed intercepted.
It’s play out to the right and Wrexham win themselves a throw in.
For this the ball comes to McLean but he turns the ball over the crossbar.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:54 , Mike Jones111 mins: Penalties is looking increasingly likely.
Both teams are relying on crosses into the box but the defensives are holding up well.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:50 , Mike Jones108 mins: James McLean swings in a cross from the left for Wrexham and it’s decent.
Murillo gets there first however and boots it away with a no nonsense clearance.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:47 , Mike JonesThe second half kicks off with Wrexham in control of the ball.
A long pass forward drops for Josh Windass but he’s closed down by Matz Sels who manages to tip the ball away from him.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:45 , Mike Jones105+1 mins: The first half of extra time is done and dusted with no change to the scoreline.
Forest are the more proactive side and Williams draws a good save out of Okonkwo.
15 minutes to play before penalties.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:41 , Mike Jones102 mins: Wrexham searching for a bit of possession and they find it only to lose the ball to Forest sub Murillo on the wing.
Forest sweep the ball over to Williams, now at right-back, and his cross is dealt with well.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:37 , Mike Jones99 mins: Hutchinson floats a cross into the box with Igor Jesus the target.
His cross is a little too high for the striker and the ball bobbles out for a goal kick.
Sam Smith has a knock and needs to come off for Wrexham.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:34 , Mike Jones96 mins: Neco Williams takes a shot from the edge of the box but there are plenty of Wrexham bodies in the way.
It looks like Hyam who makes the block and the hosts clear the danger.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:30 , Mike Jones93 mins: In the other FA Cup ties of the night MK Dons and Oxford are into extra-time as well having drawn 1-1.
Port Vale are leading 1-0 in the closing stages of their clash with Fleetwood.
League One’s Wigan Athletic have beaten Preston North End who are challenging for the Championship play-off spots.
ET Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:29 , Mike JonesNottingham Forest get the ball rolling for another 30 minutes at the Racecourse Ground.
Forest came from 3-1 down to force the next act of this tie.
Will it go to penalties or will we have a winner?
Full-time! Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:23 , Mike Jones90+5 mins: Extra-time it is.
This has been a brilliant game and it deserves an extra half an hour.
Nottingham Forest have the momentum now can they carry it into the next 30 minutes and go on to score again?
Wrexham 3-3 Forest
21:21 , Mike Jones90+2 mins: Five minutes of added time to play here before extra-time.
Can someone score a winner?
Forest have turned this match around and Sean Dyche should be delighted.
GOAL! Wrexham 3-3 Forest (Hudson-Odoi, 90')
21:18 , Mike JonesHeartbreak for Wrexham!
Savona floats in a cross from the right. Hudson-Odoi chests the ball under control then lobs the goalkeeper and lands the ball in the far corner!
Wrexham 3-2 Forest
21:17 , Mike Jones89 mins: Taiwo Awoniyi is on for Douglas Luiz in Forest’s last throw of the dice.
There’s mere minutes remaining in this match and Wrexham look like they will hold on to the lead.
Wrexham 3-2 Forest
21:14 , Mike Jones86 mins: Close!
Dobson whips a curling cross into the box as Sam Smith comes bombing in. He throws himself at the ball but just misses out on a headed effort at goal.
Nearly a fourth for Wrexham.
Wrexham 3-2 Forest
21:13 , Mike Jones83 mins: It’s almost end-to-end now. Forest are throwing everything at Wrexham who are defending for their lives.
The hosts occasionally get forward but most of their men are hanging back.
This would be a big win for them if they pull it off.
Wrexham 3-2 Forest
21:09 , Mike Jones80 mins: 10 minutes to play in this fantastic game and it’ could still swing either way.
Another goal would probably be decisive for Wrexham but Forest are full of confidence.
Don’t go anywhere.
GOAL! Wrexham 3-2 Forest (Callum Hudson-Odoi, 76')
21:05 , Mike JonesImmediate response!
Forest restart the game and burst down the right wing again.
A cutback brings the ball into the middle of the box where Hudson-Odoi is wide open.
He shoots first time, keeps the effort down and finds the back of the net.
The deficit is back to one.
GOAL! Wrexham 3-1 Forest (Dominic Hyam, 74')
21:03 , Mike JonesNevermind possession!
A curling free kick into the penalty area is whipped perfectly onto the head of the Wrexham captain.
Dominic Hyam drops and nods the ball past Matz Sels and into the back of the net.
The cushion is restored!
Wrexham 2-1 Forest
21:01 , Mike Jones72 mins: Wrexham are doing their best to regain some control in this half.
They’re doing so with possession. Holding up the ball, slowing down play and winning free kicks.
Wrexham 2-1 Forest
20:57 , Mike Jones69 mins: Neco Williams pokes the ball into the box and Morgan Gibbs-White goes down challenging for it.
Wrexham tap it away and the ball rolls to Nicolas Dominguez who shoots from range and curls the effort wide of the target.
Wrexham 2-1 Forest
20:55 , Mike Jones66 mins: Callum Hudson-Odoi has been introduced by Sean Dyche as well.
Forest are really going for it now.
It’ll be tricky for Wrexham to keep hold of this lead.
GOAL! Wrexham 2-1 Forest (Igor Jesus, 63')
20:53 , Mike JonesForest get one back!
Another cross comes in from the right wing and Igor Jesus, making a run from deep, leaps towards the ball and heads it past Okonkwo to give the visitors some hope.
Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:50 , Mike Jones60 mins: An hour played and Liberato Cacace is being taken off by Phil Parkinson.
George Thomason is the man brought on to replace him.
Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:47 , Mike Jones57 mins: Here we go.
Forest have a free kick just outside the box. Douglas Luiz takes the set piece and whips a decent effort into the box.
Arthur Okonkwo leaps to the left and palms the ball wide of the target.
Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:43 , Mike Jones54 mins: Nicolo Savona lofts the ball into the box from the right wing and finds Morgan Gibbs-White.
He sends a header towards goal and has the effort blocked.
Forest appeal for a handball but the referee waves away the shouts.
Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:41 , Mike Jones51 mins: Omari Hutchinson has moved out wide as Dilane Bukwa was one of the men replaced at half-time.
Sean Dyche has brought on more of his first team players to try to get his team back into the tie.
Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:37 , Mike Jones48 mins: Ryan Longman receives the ball out on the right wing for Wrexham.
He cuts inside and looks for the shot but scuffs his effort wide of the far post.
Second half! Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:36 , Mike JonesSean Dyche has made a triple change at half-time with Neco Williams, Nicolás Domínguez and Morgan Gibbs-White introduced.
HT Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:30 , Mike JonesForest had more possession in that half but it was Wrexham who were more clinical.
They have five shots with three on target and two goals scored.
Forest in comparison had three shots and just one on target.
HT Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:26 , Mike Jones
HT Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:22 , Mike JonesWrexham are in dreamland after that first half.
They weathered a few nervous moments in the first 20 minutes of the game and then began to impose themselves.
Goals from Liberato Cacace and Ollie Rathbone has given them a comfortable lead and they’re in control of this third round tie.
Half-time! Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:18 , Mike Jones45 mins: Sam Smith is fed the ball and makes a run in behind the Forest defence.
He’s just got the goalkeeper to beat but shoots too close to Matz Sels who keeps the effort out.
Wrexham should be 3-0 up!
The whistle then goes for half-time.
Wrexham 2-0 Forest
20:14 , Mike Jones43 mins: There were around three and a half minutes between both goals.
Forest have been rocked by two quickfire goals and find themselves up against it.
Right on cue the Wrexham fans begin their taunts, ‘Premier League, you’re having a laugh’ they start to chant.
GOAL! Wrexham 2-0 Forest (Ollie Rathbone, 40')
20:12 , Mike JonesAnother one!
And another fine finish.
Forest are caught again in their final third and find Broadhead. He slips the ball into the box for Rathbone who touches it inside and gets a lucky deflection.
The ball bounces off Morato and back to him. Rathbone then slots a quick shot under the goalkeeper to double Wrexham’s lead!
Wrexham 1-0 Forest
20:10 , Mike Jones39 mins: The atmosphere has ramped up now.
The Wrexham fans have been good value and they’ve been rewarded by the opening goal.
GOAL! Wrexham 1-0 Forest (Liberato Cacace, 36')
20:08 , Mike JonesThe hosts strike first!
What a finish this is. Omari Hutchinson loses the ball to George Dobson who nudges the ball into the path of Liberato Cacace.
He sweeps to the right and then pulls his shot back across goal and into the bottom corner of the net!
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
20:01 , Mike Jones30 mins: Forest started this match well but it’s Wrexham who’ve taken the initiative.
They turn the ball over in the middle of the pitch with Nathan Broadhead taking the ball off Morato.
He slips in Sam Smith who shoots from the left edge of the box and slots his effort wide of the target!
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
20:00 , Mike Jones27 mins: Rathbone harries Morato and wins his team a throw in. The Wrexham fans show their appreciation to him for that.
The ball looks to have rolled out of play as the hosts come down the left side of the pitch but a replay shows Cacace keeps it in play.
No VAR in action tonight though.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:56 , Mike Jones24 mins: Forest earn themselves a free kick over by the left side of the penalty area.
Douglas Luiz and Oleksandr Zinchenko stand over the ball.
Luiz is the one to take it and fizzes a shot at goal. It’s a fine strike and Arthur Okonkwo manages to turn it away with a strong save.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:52 , Mike Jones21 mins: Close! A corner for Wrexham is played short and comes to Ollie Rathbone.
He takes a touch and shoots but Jair Cunha gets his head to the ball and deflects it wide of the target.
Positive signs for the hosts though.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:50 , Mike JonesGoal!
No.
The ball is whipped into the Wrexham box and comes to Igor Jesus who nods it down and into the path of Douglas Luiz.
The ball rolls up his right arm and then he volleys it into the back of the net.
The assistant referee doesn’t raise the offside flag so Forest begin to celebrate before the referee blows his whistle and rules it out for handball.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:46 , Mike Jones15 mins: It’s been a steady quarter of an hour. Wrexham don’t look out of place or a team in a lower league than Forest.
Chances have been few with most of the action talking place inside the middle third.
Liberato Cacace looks to swing in a cross but his effort is blocked and the ball goes out for a throw in.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:43 , Mike Jones12 mins: Ollie Rathbone and Goerge Dobson link up beautifully to get the ball out to Ryan Longman on the right side of the pitch.
He whips in a cross but Morato is on hand to head the ball clear.
Wrexham win themselves a free kick but decide to play it short.
They’re crowded out to the right and lose possession. A waste.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:40 , Mike Jones9 mins: There’s a few testy Wrexham fans as Nicolo Savona takes his time getting the ball back in play from a throw in.
Wrexham are trying to get themselves into the match and pass the ball around their back line.
They’ve struggled to get it forward with any penetration though.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:36 , Mike Jones6 mins: Oleksandr Zinchenko pings a crossfield pass over to the right wing but Dan Ndoye is caught offside and the ball is turned over.
Forest have seen the majority of the ball across these opening minutes.
Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:33 , Mike Jones3 mins: Close!
Forest work the ball slickly across the pitch and slip in Dilane Bakwa who carries the ball into the box.
He pulls it back to Igor Jesus and the forward dinks his effort just wide of the near post!
Kick off! Wrexham 0-0 Forest
19:31 , Mike JonesWrexham get the ball rolling at their home ground. This is the first meeting of the two teams since 1993. Can the Red Dragons shock Forest tonight?
They work the ball over to the left side of the pitch but Forest clear their lines and win a throw in.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest
19:25 , Mike JonesThis should be an exciting clash. The Racecourse is packed, Ryan Reynolds is in the house and the home fans believe they can get through this tie.
Forest will want to silence them early with the opening goal.
The players are readying in the tunnel, kick off is up shortly.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest team changes
19:20 , Mike JonesPhil Parkinson has made four changes to the Wrexham side that started Sunday's 2-1 win at Derby County.
Dan Scarr, Liberato Cacace, Ollie Rathbone and George Dobson all come in, with Max Cleworth, Matty James, Josh Windass and George Thomason all being replaced.
Forest boss Sean Dyche makes a total of eight changes from the win at West Ham.
Matz Sels captains the visitors tonight while Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson are the other two men to retain their places.
FA Cup fixtures
19:15 , Mike JonesThis match is one of four third round ties taking place this evening but the only one featuring Premier League opposition.
The other three fixtures are:
MK Dons vs Oxford United
Port Vale vs Fleetwood
Preston North End vs Wigan Athletic
Wrexham ready to make history
19:11 , Mike JonesWrexham’s George Dobson explained how manager Phil Parkinson showed the squad moments of the club’s famous FA Cup history in preparation for tonight’s match.
“It was a real good insight to some fantastic moments down the years, to get the feel of the history of the FA Cup and what it means to everyone at the club,” said Dobson.
“It gave me goosebumps to see that what’s been created before and it makes you feel you’ve got that opportunity to create that history for yourself.
“We have an opportunity against a good Premier League club to stamp our own history here, and that is one the whole group is really looking forward to.
“The club has had a couple of good (FA Cup) runs without facing a Premier League team, so hopefully we can replicate what they did back in the day.”
Parkinson happy with preparation
19:10 , Mike JonesWrexham manager Phil Parkinson said: “We’ve achieved the target of good form in the build up to the game and it’s one that everyone is looking forward to.
“We’ve been waiting for a Premier League team here at the STōK Cae Ras.”
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: FA Cup betting tips & odds
19:05 , Mike JonesChampionship promotion hopefuls Wrexham host Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Friday night with the Welsh side looking in a good spot to challenge the Premier League strugglers (7:30pm, TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+).
After winning four games back-to-back over Christmas, the Welsh side are now ninth in the second tier and just one point off the play-off places.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: FA Cup betting tips & odds
A sign Wrexham will win?
19:00 , Mike JonesWrexham have alternated between progressing (4) and being eliminated (4) from their last eight FA Cup ties against top-flight opponents, losing 3-1 against Stoke City last time out in January 2015.
Three in a row for Forest?
18:54 , Mike JonesNottingham Forest have reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in the last two seasons, last doing so in three consecutively between 1994-95 and 1996-97.
Punching above their weight
18:48 , Mike JonesWrexham have won their last two FA Cup third round matches, beating sides from a higher division than themselves both times (vs Coventry in 2022-23 and Shrewsbury in 2023-24).
A long time to wait
18:42 , Mike JonesThis is the first meeting between Nottingham Forest and Wrexham in any competition since the 1993-94 League Cup second round.
After a 3-3 draw in Wales in the first leg, Forest won the second leg at home 3-1.
Nottingham Forest team to face Wrexham
18:36 , Mike JonesNottingham Forest XI: Sels, Morate, Douglas Luiz, Ndoye, I. Jesus, Hutchinson, Jair Cunha, McAtee, Bakwa, Zinchenko, Savona
Taking on Wrexham tonight. 📋 pic.twitter.com/Z5xd2neFHa
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) January 9, 2026
Wrexham line-up to face Nottingham Forest
18:32 , Mike JonesWrexham: Okonkwo; Scarr, Hyam, Doyle, Longman, Dobson, Sheaf, Cacace, Rathbone, Broadhead, Smith
Our @EmiratesFACup line-up this evening 👊
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) January 9, 2026
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/hSH6tnqNRe
Wrexham vs Forest
18:24 , Mike JonesThis will be just the second FA Cup meeting between Wrexham and Nottingham Forest, with the Red Dragons winning 3-1 at the City Ground in January 1982 previously.
Dyche on Wrexham
18:18 , Mike JonesThe Forest boss said: “They’re a good outfit. I know Phil [Parkinson] well and his staff and they always get themselves ready. Phil’s had over 1,000 games in charge and I’ve never known his sides not be ready.
“They have a lot of mature players so we know it’s a tough game, but it’s another game that we want. We’ve had lots of them, but we want to be playing in these games because it helps the players be ready for all the different games we’ve got.”
'There's magic in the FA Cup'
18:12 , Mike JonesMore from Dyche who wants to keep Wrexham from performing an upset tonight.
He said: “There’s still the magic of the FA Cup. Every club wants to do well in the competition and win it.
“There’s a lovely history to it and of course we want to do well in it. We want to go to Wrexham and beat them.
“After the West Ham game, we were straight back in and ready to go again.”
Sean Dyche on visiting Wrexham
18:06 , Mike JonesThe Nottingham Forest boss says that he team must remain focused when they travel to one of the more well known lower league clubs in Wrexham tonight.
“We have to see through the noise and put in a performance,” Dyche admitted ahead of the game.
“It’s easier said than done; we’ve been watching their games and they’ve played well and delivered.
“So we have to go there with the right mentality and find clarity around our own performance, particularly after the win at West Ham. It’s important to keep the good feeling going.”
West Ham’s troubles deepen with dismal defeat to Nottingham Forest
18:00 , Mike JonesWest Ham’s Premier League survival hopes took another major blow after slipping to a 2-1 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.
The Hammers will point to two controversial VAR decisions, a disallowed goal for offside and a late penalty award converted by Morgan Gibbs-White for Forest’s winner.
West Ham’s troubles deepen with dismal defeat to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest early team news
17:54 , Mike JonesMatz Sels is likely to start in goal again for Nottingham Forest after he replaced the injured John Victor for Tuesday’s trip to West Ham. Dan Ndoye, Ryan Yates and long-term absentee Chris Wood are likely to miss the game.
Predicted Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Luiz; McAtee, Gibbs-White, Bakwa; Jesus
Wrexham early team news
17:48 , Mike JonesWrexham are without striker Kieffer Moore after he suffered a hamstring injury in the recent win over Preston North End and missed the trip to Derby. Aaron James, Andy Cannon, Danny Ward, Elliot Lee, Lewis Brunt and Ryan Hardie and all absentees as well.
Predicted Wrexham XI: Okonkwo; Cleworth, Hyam, Doyle; James, Sheaf; Longman, Windass, Broadhead, Thomason; Smith
How can I watch it?
17:42 , Mike JonesViewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate, with coverage on the channel beginning at 6.30pm GMT.
A live stream will be available for subscribers via Discovery+.
When is Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest?
17:36 , Mike JonesWrexham vs Nottingham Forest is due to kick off at 7.30pm GMT on Friday 9 January at the Racecouse Ground in Wrexham.
Wrexham vs Nottingham Forest
17:30 , Mike JonesWrexham host Nottingham Forest in the FA Crup third round tonight as the Welsh side look to inflict defeat on their Premier League opponents.
The teams head into the match with contrasting fortunes as Wrexham have won each of their last four matches in the Championship which has propelled them up the table. They are now ninth in the second division but are only one point off the play-off spots and, more importantly, have built up a steam of momentum.
In contrast, Nottingham Forest have lost four of their last five top-flight fixtures and sit just one place above the relegation spots though they do have a seven point cushion to West Ham. However, Forest did defeat the Hammers 2-1 in their last outing which may give them the impetus to impress against the Dragons tonight.
The FA Cup will be neither side’s priority but it is a great opportunity for the home side to show what they can do on the pitch given their well documented desire to reach the Premier League.
Good evening!
15:46 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s FA Cup action as Wrexham host Nottingham Forest.
It’s a clash of Championship versus Premier League but these two teams are not too far apart in terms of skill and Wrexham bring better form into the match.
Add on to that the fact they’re playing at home and the Welsh side have an advantage over Sean Dyche’s side who will need to be near their best to advance into the next round.
Kick off for this one is at 7.30pm so stick around as we build-up to tonight’s FA Cup clash.
