Cup clash under the Mold Road lights
The FA Cup spotlight swings to STōK Cae Ras on 9 January 2026 as Wrexham welcome Nottingham Forest for a Round 3 tie that promises drama. The Welsh side arrive in fine recent form, strung together a run of wins through late December and early January, including strong results at Blackburn and Derby County. Nottingham Forest, by contrast, have endured a bumpy spell in the weeks prior with several defeats, but they arrive off the back of a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory at West Ham United on 6 January — a result that changes the narrative heading into this cup date.
Momentum vs. pedigree — the narrative
Wrexham have been on an upward curve domestically, their recent sequence producing five wins in the latest ten outings and a spirited 5-3 home win in one of their standout performances. The home atmosphere at Mold Road, with a 15,500 capacity, can be a levelling factor for Rob McElhenney’s side; cup nights there have the potential to lift the hosts. Nottingham Forest’s formline reads differently — losses peppered through December, but that late Premier League scalp over West Ham, with Nicolás Domínguez earning the match’s top rating, injects belief into the travelling dressing room.
Referee Paul Tierney is named for the fixture, adding a measured officiating presence to a tie that could become physical and intense. Wrexham will lean on the cohesion that delivered results in the Championship, while Forest will try to use top-flight experience to control moments and exploit set-piece or transitional chances.
Where the odds point and what it means
Bookmakers currently place Nottingham Forest as favorites in the 1X2 market, with the away price at 1.86 and an implied probability north of 50%. The draw and home win are longer propositions, reflecting the market’s view that Forest’s Premier League rhythm — highlighted by their recent win — gives them the edge despite Wrexham’s strong recent results. Cup ties are rarely straightforward, but the market is signaling a lean toward an away victory.
For readers weighing up markets and strategy, it’s worth revisiting broader guidance on market selection with resources like Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets, and for those thinking about timing on goal lines check The right time to place bets on goal markets.
Betting suggestion: Back Nottingham Forest (Away) in the 1X2 market. The bookmaker prices and recent Premier League win provide a clear value angle for a modest stake; treat this as a cup pick with controlled exposure given Wrexham’s home form and the unpredictable nature of knockout football.
