Big Match Breakdown: Burton Albion v Nottingham Forest
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In-depth preview and odds on Carabao Cup clash
Nottingham Forest make the short trip to Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium in tonight’s Carabao Cup clash, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Forest have lifted this trophy four times in their illustrious history, while the Brewers are looking to make the last eight of this competition for the first time ever.
And the Coral News Team are getting you match-ready, with another Big Match Breakdown…
Head-to-Head
The pair have met four times since the start of the 2016-17 season, having never faced off competitively up to then.
Forest have won both home games, including a 4-3 win back in August 2016. But they’re yet to claim victory at the Pirelli, with a 1-0 loss and 0-0 draw for their efforts.
Likely XIs
Burton are firmly a 4-3-3 side under Nigel Clough. But with experience needed on a big occasion like this, he could line up with a slightly older and wilier XI than usual.
Veteran Jake Buxton is likely to partner set-piece threat Kyle McFadzean at centre-back. At the other end, Devante Cole is cup-tied, meaning Liam Boyce is likely to start in the middle of that front three.
Forest are also easy to predict tactically. They haven’t really shifted from a 4-2-3-1 this term. Lewis Grabban is banging in the goals, and his service could come from Matty Cash and Gil Dias out wide.
Key Battles
Breaking down a robust Burton backline is not an especially easy task. The Brewers may sit 16th in League One, but they’ve conceded the same number of goals as second-placed Peterborough United, and fewer than Doncaster Rovers in eighth.
Grabban’s pace and clinical finishing has made him Forest’s star man, so seeing how he handles an imposing and physical Brewers defence will be interesting.
The tussle in central midfield will also be hotly contested. It’s Burton who have the bigger concentration of flair players in that area, but they’ll be up against seasoned performers like Adiene Guedioura and Jack Colback.
Match Odds
It’s Forest who are firm favourites in the Match Betting, with Aitor Karanka’s men unbeaten in their last five away games.
It’s 6/5 for the visitors to win in 90 minutes. Meanwhile, it’s 5/2 for a Brewers victory, and odds of 12/5 for a draw in normal time.
Forest have won two of their last three away games, and both came with clean sheets. They’re 11/4 to Win to Nil here, while Correct Score: 2-0 Forest is 10/1.
Grabban has been in fine goalscoring form, with seven in nine – including two braces. He’s 7/5 to net Anytime, while it’s 5/1 he bags Two or More Goals.
As regards longshots, Burton defender McFadzean could be one to watch. The former Crawley Town man has netted three times in his last nine outings, and is 10/1 to Score Anytime in this clash.
Click here for the latest Burton v Forest odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
