Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United tips and predictions: Can Forest fend off Red Devils as they chase Champions League?

Nottingham Forest state of play

Nottingham Forest are enjoying a phenomenal season under Nuno Espirito Santo and after finishing 17th last year, they find themselves as high as third, with ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League. 

Forest have also made it into the semi-finals of the FA Cup, following Saturday’s penalty shoot-out victory over Brighton after a 0-0 draw at the Amex Stadium. 

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For much of the season, Espirito Santo’s side have been about keeping it tight and goalkeeper Matz Sels has more clean sheets (12) than any of his Premier League rivals. 

But there have been a fair few exceptions including conceding five at Bournemouth, four at Newcastle and two to the likes of Ipswich and Exeter in recent games.

Manchester United state of play 

Whisper it quietly, but is Ruben Amorim starting to turn things around at Manchester United? 

The Portuguese boss has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford but before the international break, he oversaw some better performances including a 4-1 Europa League win over Real Sociedad and a 1-1 draw against second-placed Arsenal. 

Bruno Fernandes has been in excellent form for the Red Devils, with seven goals and four assists in his last seven United appearances. 

But United remain 13th in the league, 10 points adrift of seventh place, which is likely to be required to secure European football next season – barring Europa League success.

Key talking point: How will Forest cope without talisman Chris Wood?

Forest have been head and shoulders above United over the course of this season and although they’ve only won three of their last 10 matches, they’ve also enjoyed three penalty shoot-out victories in that period, ensuring confidence remains high. 

However, star forward Chris Wood, who has 18 Premier League goals this season, is set to miss out after picking up a hip injury on international duty. 

After the FA Cup game at Brighton Nuno described his striker’s situation as “not good”, although he stopped short of definitively ruling him out. 

Taiwo Awoniyi is likely to step in, but Forest do possess a goal threat from their wide men Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, as well as playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White. 

United haven’t won back-to-back league games all season, and have lost their last two to Forest - including last season when Nuno’s men were relegation scrappers. 

Having said that, the visitors will be fresher having not played in 16 days, while the hosts endured a tough 120 minutes at Brighton on Saturday. 

But Forest have been formidable on home turf of late, winning seven of their last 10 league games at the City Ground and keeping six clean sheets along the way.

FIRST’s top tip for Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United

United are showing signs of life but Forest have beaten better teams than them at home this season. Back Nottingham Forest to win at 132/100 with 10Bet.

Pick: Nottingham Forest to win at 132/100 with 10Bet

Extra tips 

With Fernandes a lone figure in top form for United, there’s value in backing him to set up a team-mate. The Portuguese is 19/4 for over 0.5 assists with Betway. With United’s improved recent showings, we also like the look of both teams to score: yes with Coral at 3/4.

Pick: Bruno Fernandes to produce over 0.5 assists (19/4) Betway

Pick: Both teams to score: Yes (3/4) Coral

Team news

Wood aside, Forest have little to worry about in terms of personnel. Gibbs-White collided with a goalpost in the win over Brighton but is expected to be fit for this fixture.

United, in contrast, have plenty of important players missing. Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are long-term absentees, while Ayden Heaven picked up an injury at Leicester last time out. 

However, Patrick Dorgu is back from suspension and Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw have returned to training too.

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United predicted line-ups 

Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga , Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi (4-2-3-1)

Manchester United: Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Mazraoui; Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Eriksen, Garnacho, Hojlund (3-4-3)

Form guide 

Nottingham Forest: LWDLLDDWWD

Manchester United: LWLDWDDDWW

Odds correct at the time of writing.