Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Predictions

• Nottingham Forest have won six of their last eight home games
• Forest have won their last four home games against Ipswich
• Ipswich have lost six of their last 11 away games

Forest to plough ahead against Tractor Boys

Nottingham Forest can reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for only the second time this century when they face Ipswich Town at home on Monday night. The City Ground should be buzzing for the occasion as Nuno Espirito Santo’s side maintain their push for European football.

The Reds retained hold of third place in the Premier League with a gritty goalless draw against Arsenal on Wednesday. Although with only five points between them and surging Brighton in eighth place, the cup is still an important route into Europe for them – plus a potentially glorious end in itself.

Ipswich will harbour faint hopes of progression in this tie after an improved display at Old Trafford in midweek against 10-man Manchester United. Two-goal Jaden Philogene finally came good in a Blues shirt, but Kieran McKenna’s side ultimately lacked the quality to break down a resolute Red Devils’ defence when chasing the game in the second half.

Visitors rely on Delap threat

That does not augur well ahead of facing one of the tightest defences in the Premier League. Forest have conceded only 10 times in 13 home league games and kept four clean sheets in their last six at the City Ground.

Liam Delap carries a heavy load for them in terms of scoring goals, accounting for a third of the squad’s expected goals, and he was kept very quiet on his last trip to Nottingham. Nuno’s defenders shackled Delap, who managed only one shot on goal and a zero xG in an anonymous 90 minutes.

Forest’s ability to close out games when in front is almost unparalleled in the Premier League, so it may be worth backing them to lead at half-time and full time on Monday. The Reds have been ahead at the break in five of their last six home games, going on to win four while Ipswich have lost their last seven games when they have trailed at half-time. But the home win price is good enough for a lumpy bet with Forest’s home form suggesting they can be backed with confidence.