Verdict: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Unibet
Simply looking to finish off the job and book their spot in the final of this season’s EFL Cup, Manchester United will welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have been left heartbroken by their last-gasp 3-2 loss away at Arsenal on January 22nd, Erik ten Hag’s side have proven that was nothing more than a minor blip. Last seen over the weekend extending on their FA Cup adventure thanks to a routine 3-1 win at home against Championship outfit Reading, the former Ajax boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Likewise, cruising their way to an eye-catching 3-0 romp when they made the trip to the City Ground last week for their first-leg meeting, ten Hag is desperate to bring a piece of silverware back to Manchester in 2023. Gaining plenty of plaudits on either side of the World Cup break, it also appears that the Red Devils are cruising their way towards a much-needed Champions League return. Riding a recent wave of momentum, United will simply be looking to finish off the job on Wednesday night.
Team News
Picking up a knock against Reading last weekend and seen leaving Old Trafford on crutches, Christian Eriksen will not feature here. The likes of Donny van de Beek, Axel Tuanzebe, Anthony Martial and Diogo Dalot will also miss out on Wednesday night.
With ten Hag expected to make a handful of changes in midweek, the likes of Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho will be hoping for another start.
Nottingham Forest
As for the visitors, while Nottingham Forest might have also impressed on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, Steve Cooper’s men are seeking a minor miracle on Wednesday night. Slumping to a 3-0 drumming when they welcomed United to the City Ground for their first-leg meeting last weekend, the former Swansea boss will simply be hoping for a far more polished display at Old Trafford. However, disappointed on January 21st as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth, Forest have shown some extended domestic issues on the road this season. Still looking over their shoulder at the Premier League drop zone and in a real scrap to retain their top-flight status, Coope’s side have collected just a single domestic away victory all season. Crashing out of the EFL Cup at the start of January following a remarkable 4-1 defeat at the hands of Championship outfit Blackpool, Forest will face another huge challenge here.
Team News
Along with being unable to feature against his parent club in midweek, Dean Henderson is the latest addition to Nottingham Forest’s growing injury list. The likes of Moussa Niakhate, Giulian Biancone, Taiwo Awoniyi and Cheikhou Kouyate will once again miss out here.
Likewise, with Morgan Gibbs-White also dealing with an ankle injury, ex-Manchester United star Jesse Lingard will be hoping for a recall.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides met for their EFL Cup semi-final first-leg last week, Manchester United picked up a 3-0 victory at the City Ground.
- Likewise, when United welcomed Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford for a Premier League meeting on December 27th, ten Hag’s men picked up another 3-0 win.
- Nottingham Forest have recorded just a single domestic away victory across all formats so far this season.
- Manchester United have won each of their last 11 straight matchups at Old Trafford – a run that stems back to October 16th.
- Each of their previous six victories on home soil have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Breezing their way to a first-leg 3-0 romp at the City Ground last week, Manchester United will simply be looking to avoid a major collapse on Wednesday night. Already with one foot firmly in the final of this year’s EFL Cup, ten Hag will be hoping for a repeat display at Old Trafford. Continuing to gain a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil, the Premier League giants have won each of their last 11 straight showdowns in front of their own supporters. Likewise, now claiming back-to-back 3-0 victories against Nottingham Forest since returning from the World Cup break, it is no surprise why United are tipped as a standout pick here.
Verdict: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Unibet
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