Verdict: Manchester United win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Knowing the importance of making an immediate return to winning ways, Manchester United will welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, coming off the back of a nightmare second-half away at Tottenham last weekend, it is no secret that Manchester United have come under a huge amount of scrutiny since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. Eventually slumping to a 2-0 loss in north London, Erik ten Hag’s men will certainly have a fair amount of pressure on their shoulders here. While the former Premier League champions might have opened the new season with a controversial 1-0 victory at home against Wolves, United are seeking a much-needed clinical edge in the final third. Desperate to claim a crucial boost when they return to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, ten Hag’s men should take some solace from their extended success on home soil. Including that nervy 1-0 win against Wolves earlier in the month, the former Ajax boss has not seen his squad suffer a single Premier League defeat in front of their own supporters over the past 12 months.
Team News
In what is a major blow, Manchester United have confirmed that summer arrival and ex-Chelsea star Mason Mount will not feature till after the international break after picking up a knock. Mount will be joined on the sidelines by the likes of Tyrell Malacia and Rasmus Hojlund.
While Marcus Rashford might sill be waiting to open his account this season, the 25-year-old will spearhead United’s attack here.
Nottingham Forest
As for the visitors, snatching a stunning last-gasp winner against Premier League returners Sheffield United last weekend, Nottingham Forest will be desperate to spring a major upset here. However, opening the 2023/24 campaign with a 2-1 defeat away at title contenders Arsenal, Steve Cooper’s men certainly gained a reputation for their struggles on the road last season. At the heart of a relegation scrap on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, the former Swansea boss saw his side record just a sole Premier League win away from the City Ground last year. Likewise, suffering back-to-back 2-0 losses against Manchester United last season, Forest will still know that they face a stern challenge on Saturday afternoon.
Team News
Dealing with a long-term injury issue, Nottingham Forest will once again be without defensive talisman Felipe when they travel to Old Trafford this weekend. Likewise, Wales international shot-stopper Wayne Hennessey will not make the trip to Manchester on Saturday afternoon.
Coming off the bench and bagging that last-gasp winner against Sheffield United, former Newcastle striker Chris Wood will be hoping for a full recall here.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester United picked up back-to-back 2-0 victories against Nottingham Forest last season.
- Likewise, on a run that stems all the way back to 1995, ten Hag’s men are unbeaten in each of their previous 10 meetings against Saturday’s guests.
- The Red Devils have not suffered a single Premier League defeat at Old Trafford over the past 12 months.
- Nottingham Forest recorded just a single Premier League win away from the City Ground last season.
- Cooper’s side have drawn a blank in their previous three trips to Old Trafford.
Conclusion
Putting in a nightmare second-half display last weekend as they slumped to a 2-0 loss away at Spurs, Manchester United will be excited to make a return to home soil here. Opening the new season with a controversial 1-0 win against Wolves, Saturday’s hosts have not suffered a single Premier League defeat in front of their own supporters over the past 12 months. Likewise, landing back-to-back 2-0 victories against Forest last season, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Manchester United win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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