Preston v Nottm Forest: A tie with a two-hour time limit

Michael Lintorn
04 February 2014

Billy Davies led Preston to within a game of the top flight in 2005

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Michael Lintorn is convinced that Preston and Nottingham Forest's FA Cup replay will be level after 90 minutes...

"Nottingham Forest have been turned over just twice on their Championship travels, yet have drawn seven of the other 11."
Best Bet: Back Preston and Nottingham Forest to draw @ 3.55/2

Preston v Nottingham Forest, Wednesday 19:45, BT Sport 1, Match Odds: Preston 3.3512/5, Nottingham Forest 2.3611/8, The Draw 3.55/2

FA Cup fourth round drawing has suffered an alarming fall from fashionability since 2013, with just two of the 16 matches seductive enough to invite a second date for the second successive season.

However, Preston and Nottingham Forest appear inseparable enough to compensate for the shortfall elsewhere and provide another 90 minutes of joy for stalemate enthusiasts at 3.55/2.

The magic of the pairing is that Forest do their best stuff at home and Preston are at their sharpest away, meaning that the initial tie saw their strengths cancelled out and the returns negates one another's weaknesses.

Though the combination of Preston at home and Forest away removes both sides from their favoured environment, neither are awful in those circumstances; rather, they draw a lot of fixtures that they would win elsewhere.

Preston have only lost two of their League One games at Deepdale, but have been hindered by spoiling shares as often as they triumph (six times). Likewise, Forest have been turned over just twice on their Championship travels, yet have drawn seven of the other 11.

Last month's City Ground draw was the second in a row in this Billy Davies derby. Three of their last eight clashes in Lancashire finished level too and none of their last 11 Deepdale meetings were won by more than a one-goal margin, indicating that the draw will open a Cash Out window even if extra time isn't required.

Best Bet: Back Preston and Nottingham Forest to draw @ 3.55/2

Peterborough v Swindon, Wednesday 19:15, Sky Sports 1, Match Odds: Peterborough 2.1211/10, Swindon 3.8514/5, The Draw 3.613/5
If you prefer your cup action with 50% more League One flavour then Peterborough and Swindon's Johnstone's Paint Trophy southern final first leg is for you. Posh showed unusual defensive aptitude at the start of the season, keeping eight clean sheets in their first 13 League One matches, but have since rediscovered the adventure that makes them so watchable. Their last ten collisions with third-tier foes all cleared the 2.5-goal barrier - the latest two a 4-3 win over Notts County and 5-4 loss to Oldham.
Recommended Bet: Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.865/6

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