Nottingham Forest welcome Wolves to the City Ground in Quarter-Finals of 2022-23 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Forest reach the semi-finals for the first time since they finished as runners-up in 1991-92 season.
Wolves meanwhile are looking to qualify for the final four for the first time since winning this competition in 1979-80 season.
Team News
Neco Williams is a doubt for Forest after he suffered a knock during their shock FA Cup exit at Blackpool last weekend.
Taiwo Awoniyi (fatigue) is another doubt and was amongst some first-team regulars rested for Forest’s trip to Bloomfield Road, with Orel Mangala and Renan Lodi amongst others hoping for a recall.
Jesse Lingard, Cheikhou Kouyate (both hamstring), Giulian Biancone (knee), Moussa Niakhate (thigh) and Omar Richards (leg) remain absent.
Wolves could welcome Daniel Podence back into contention after he was rested in their 2-2 draw at Liverpool in the FA Cup with a knock.
Jose Sa, Max Kilman, Joao Moutinho and Diego Costa could feature amongst first-team regulars recalled to the starting line-up, having been rested at Anfield.
Rayan Ait-Nouri though was substituted with a knock in that match so could face a late fitness test.
Boubacar Traore (unspecified), Chiquinho, Sasa Kalajdzic (both knee) and Pedro Neto (ankle) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Forest have won just one of three previous League Cup ties against Wolves (W1, L2).
- Wolves have won both of their two previous League Cup visits to Forest (W2), during which they scored five goals in total without conceding.
- This is the first time that Forest and Wolves have met here in consecutive seasons in the League Cup, having met in the Second Round last season which Wolves won 4-0.
- Jesse Lingard has scored in each of Forest’s last two League Cup ties but is now absent through injury.
- Raul Jimenez has scored in each of the two League Cup ties that he featured in for Wolves this season.
Prediction
Having not enjoyed much luck in this competition since the Premier League began, this cup match does carry huge significance for two teams amidst respective battles for their top-flight status.
In fact, Forest seems to be taking this competition so serious that Steve Cooper changed his entire starting line-up for their defeat at Blackpool, so I do expect a refreshed starting eleven to come out fighting for the win here if they want to provide hope in a tricky season so far.
Wolves meanwhile delivered a brilliant energetic performance to earn a FA Cup replay against Liverpool, yet Julen Lopetegui now faces a dilemma because his squad now face the prospect of a packed month if they reach the semi-finals plus advance in FA Cup on top of their relegation battle in league.
Priorities therefore could well play a part in how both clubs approach this match but I can see Wolves making several changes, which might suit Forest if they can continue their recent improvements since the turn of the year against top-flight rivals.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Wolves
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