Wrexham hosted Nottingham Forest in a highly anticipated FA Cup third-round clash at the Racecourse Ground on Friday. This marked the first meeting between the two clubs in any competition since the 1993-94 League Cup. In that League Cup encounter, the first leg ended in a 3-3 draw in Wales, with Forest securing a 3-1 victory in the return leg.

Wrexham, currently ninth in the Championship, have been on impressive form with four consecutive wins. Their recent success has placed them just one point away from the play-off positions, fueling hopes of strengthening their squad during the January transfer window. Despite spending around £33 million on 13 new players in the summer, Wrexham officials have confirmed that funds are available for further squad reinforcements.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are struggling in the Premier League, sitting in 17th place and narrowly avoiding the relegation zone. However, a recent 2-1 victory over West Ham has given them a seven-point buffer from the bottom three.

Wrexham has won their last two FA Cup third-round matches, both times against teams from a higher division. They beat Coventry in 2022-23 and Shrewsbury in 2023-24. Historically, Wrexham has alternated between progressing and being eliminated in their last eight FA Cup ties against top-flight opponents. Their last defeat against such opposition was a 3-1 loss to Stoke City in January 2015. Nottingham Forest has reached the FA Cup fourth round in the last two seasons.

In team news, Wrexham was without top scorer Kieffer Moore due to a hamstring issue, with Sam Smith stepping in. Wing-back Issa Kabore has returned from representing Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations. Forest, on the other hand, made eight changes to their lineup, with only goalkeeper Matz Sels, winger Omari Hutchinson, and striker Igor Jesus retaining their places. John Victor, Ryan Yates, and Chris Wood were sidelined due to injuries.

The match was broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ in the UK.