Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United Prediction: Bruno set to strike again

Having booked their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on penalties this weekend, Nottingham Forest resume their quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League. The Tricky Trees welcome Manchester United to the City Ground on Tuesday night (TNT Sports 1, 20:00), looking to put some distance in between themselves and the chasing pack. 

Below you can find my Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United predictions featuring team news and betting tips. 

Football Odds

Team News

Nottingham Forest had to do without Chris Wood for their FA Cup tie as he came back from international duty with a hip injury, but Nuno Espirito Santo didn’t rule him out of this one.

“He’s improving, he’s improving. He’s getting better day by day. We have to assess him day by day, it’s all about him being pain-free and then getting back to fitness.” 

If he doesn’t make it then Taiwo Awoniyi will start in his place, while Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson will retain their spots. Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi should come back into the XI out wide, while Matz Sels will hope to produce more heroics after his wonderful performance in the penalty shootout. 

Manchester United haven’t played since they beat Leicester before the international break but they have used this time off wisely, welcoming back some key players to training. Mason Mount could start his first game since December, while Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw are all back training, although the latter isn’t expected to be included in this squad. 

Kobbie Mainoo is not far off a return and the injury Ayden Heaven suffered at Leicester is not as serious as first feared. 

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United odds

Nottingham Forest are priced at 5/4 to win this game and that gives them an implied win probability of 44%. Manchester United are 15/8 to take all three points while a draw can be backed at 12/5. 

Over 2.5 goals is 5/6 having come in during 59% of Man United’s games, while BTTS is 8/11. Wood remains the favourite to score first at 4/1.

Draw and BTTS @ 16/5

I think we are in for an open and exciting game at the City Ground and I can see there being plenty of goals. Forest have picked up 28 points from 14 home games to date, including a 1-0 win over Man City last time out. I believe they will be tough to beat once again, but I also think that Man United have turned a corner. 

They beat Leicester before the break, while they could save their season by winning the Europa League. With players returning from injury I think we will see another decent showing from United, while they will be fresher having not been involved in FA Cup action at the weekend. As they rested, Forest went through a draining 120 minutes with Brighton, and I feel that will play some part here. 

With the attacking quality on show both teams can find the net, but I also believe both outfits will be satisfied with a draw.

Bruno Fernandes to score anytime @ 13/5 

Bruno Fernandes is having another wonderful season in a red shirt. He’s by far the best player they’ve got and has now scored 16 goals in all competitions from attacking midfield. He’s their designated penalty-taker but has also been the most threatening player from open play, especially given neither Joshua Zirkzee or Rasmus Hojlund have been particularly clinical from that number nine role. 

Fernandes has two goals in his last two, and three in his last four, so I don’t think there is any harm backing him to find the net here again - at a decent price. 

Offers

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Tuesday (01/04): We will be Top Price on Nottingham Forest to beat Man United with selected bookmakers using Oddschecker for the comparison.

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