Ahead of what will be Wrexham's first fixture against Premier League opposition since Phil Parkinson took charge in the summer of 2021, the current mood at the two sides that will meet at the Stok Cae Ras on Friday night (19:30 kick-off) could not be more contrasting.
Nottingham Forest remain in 17th place in the top-flight table, although they do at least have some breathing space above the relegation zone having beaten West Ham 2-1 at the London Stadium on Tuesday night.
Victory brought an end to a four-game losing run, and their current plight represents a complete turnaround from where the club was even just a year ago.
Then under Nuno Espirito Santo, the man whose side they overcame in midweek, Forest sat level on points with second-placed Arsenal and were just six points adrift of then-leaders and eventual champions Liverpool.
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But having guided Forest into Europe, Nuno was sacked in September - with his replacement Ange Postecoglou losing his job just 39 days after being appointed as the Portuguese manager's successor.
Sean Dyche has certainly steadied the ship somewhat, although recent form has been underwhelming, Tuesday night aside.
In the upper echelons of the club, reports have suggested the position of former Arsenal and Brazil midfielder Edu as Forest's head of global football is under increasing scrutiny.
The picture is far rosier in north Wales.
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Wrexham go into the FA Cup third round fixture having followed up impressive home Championship wins against Sheffield United and Preston North End after Christmas with magnificent away victories over Blackburn Rovers and Derby County in the New Year to record four successive league triumphs in the second tier for the first time in their history.
With just 20 matches of the regular season still to be played, the Red Dragons sit ninth in the table and are just one point off the play-off places.
The club's long-term aim of reaching the Premier League under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac will remain the priority, particularly now with such an opportunity unfolding this season given their remarkable improvement since what was a difficult opening five-game spell in the division.
Indeed, since losing 3-1 to Queens Park Rangers on September 13, only league leaders Coventry City and Ipswich Town have gained more points than Wrexham's total of 36 points across the previous 21 Championship matches - with the Red Dragons' figure coming at an average of just over 1.7 points per game.
Dyche's men will undoubtedly be favourites to progress into the fourth round this weekend, but, as has been the case ever since Reynolds and Mac kick-started their north Wales dream, write off Wrexham at your peril.
Parkinson will hope his squad can benefit from having a five-day turnaround compared to the short three-day gap Forest will have.
That said, the experienced boss is still likely to make some alterations to his matchday squad from the one that started Sunday's 2-1 win against Derby County at Pride Park, particularly having made five and then four changes ahead of the last two fixtures against the Rams and Blackburn, respectively.
They will also have the rare luxury of eight days without a fixture after welcoming Forest to Wrexham, with Norwich City visiting the Stok Cae Ras on Saturday, January 17.
Given their efforts against the likes of Sheffield United and Coventry City in the same competition earlier on in Parkinson's tenure, the benefits of a cup scalp will not be lost on the Wrexham boss.
Fortunately, the mouth-watering contest represents something of a win-win situation for Wrexham, regardless of the outcome.
But having dreamed of facing Premier League opposition throughout Parkinson's glorious reign to date, their wishes have finally been granted... and it's time to make the most of it.
