Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town are set to face off in a crucial FA Cup fifth-round clash at the City Ground on Monday night, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. The winner of this fixture will go on to challenge Brighton & Hove Albion in the next round.
Despite their focus on securing a Champions League berth in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest have a golden opportunity to progress further in the FA Cup, a tournament they have won twice in their history. However, recent struggles in the league have raised concerns about their form. A solid performance against Ipswich could restore momentum and set them up for a strong finish to the season.
Ipswich Seeking a Cup Upset
Currently battling to avoid relegation, Ipswich Town have struggled in recent weeks, with their only wins in the last ten games coming against lower-league opponents. Nonetheless, the FA Cup offers a chance to defy the odds and create a memorable moment in their campaign. While their priority remains league survival, a victory over Forest would provide a significant morale boost.
Match Details
- Location: City Ground, Nottingham, England
- Date: Monday, March 3, 2025
- Kick-off: 19:30 GMT / 14:30 ET / 11:30 PT
- Referee: Tony Harrington
- VAR: Matthew Donohue
Recent Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Matches)
- Nottingham Forest Wins: 3
- Ipswich Wins: 1
- Draws: 1
- Last Meeting: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich (November 30, 2025 – Premier League)
Team Form (All Competitions)
Nottingham Forest:
- Nottingham Forest 0-0 Arsenal
- Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest
- Fulham 2-1 Nottingham Forest
- Exeter 2-2 (2-4p) Nottingham Forest
- Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton
Ipswich Town:
- Man Utd 3-2 Ipswich
- Ipswich 1-4 Tottenham
- Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich
- Coventry 1-4 Ipswich
- Ipswich 1-2 Southampton
Where to Watch
- UK: ITV 4, ITVX
- US: ESPN+, ESPN App
- Canada: Sportsnet (various channels)
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has most of his squad available but will be without backup goalkeeper Carlos Miguel due to injury. With no immediate league fixtures following this match, Forest could field a strong lineup.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Sosa; Wood.
Injury concerns continue to trouble Ipswich, with key players Omari Hutchinson, Chiedozie Ogbene, Wes Burns, and Julio Enciso ruled out. Conor Chaplin may return after a lengthy absence, but Christian Walton and Kalvin Phillips remain sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Palmer; Tuanzebe, O’Shea, Greaves, Townsend; Taylor, Cajuste; Philogene, Szmodics, Clarke; Delap.
Match Prediction
Nottingham Forest hold a clear advantage at home and have already secured a victory against Ipswich earlier in the season. The visitors, focused on their league survival, may struggle to pose a significant threat. While Forest might rotate their squad, their depth should be enough to see them through to the next round.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich
