Big Match Breakdown: Burton Albion v Nottingham Forest

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 16^th in League One, but they’ve conceded the same number of goals as second-placed Peterborough United, and fewer than Doncaster Rovers in eighth.