Prediction: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest

Verdict: Manchester United win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to mark their return to Premier League duties with a flurry on Tuesday night, Manchester United will welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, extending on their EFL Cup adventure earlier in the week thanks to a 2-0 victory against Championship high-flyers Burnley, Manchester United will be hoping for a similar display here. Last seen in Premier League action on November 13th when heading into the World Cup’s winter break with a last-gasp 2-1 win away at Fulham, Erik ten Hag’s men have their sights firmly set on securing a Champions League return this season. Despite enduring what was a tricky start to the 2022/23 campaign, the former Ajax boss has seen his side largely put those issues behind them. In fact, aside from a 3-1 loss away at Aston Villa when opening November, that is the only Premier League defeat that United have suffered since way back on October 2nd. Likewise, winning each of their last five showdowns at Old Trafford by an aggregate score of 12-2, ten Hag’s men will simply be looking to lay down another marker here.

Team News

It remains to be seen if either Lisandro Martinez or Raphael Varane will feature on Tuesday night after both featuring in the World Cup final. England’s Harry Maguire could be handed a full Premier League return at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have already confirmed that they will once again be without the defensive duo of Diogo Dalot and Axel Tuanzebe here. However, the red-hot Marcus Rashford should spearhead ten Hag’s charge here.

Nottingham Forest

As for the visitors, also marking their return from the festive break by extending on their EFL Cup run, Nottingham Forest will be desperate to spring a major upset on Tuesday night. While the Premier League returners might still find themselves firmly battling it out at the foot of the table, they had appeared to have found a much-needed boost prior to the interval. Heading into the World Cup break with a 1-0 victory at home against Crystal Palace on November 12th, Steve Cooper’s men have now lost just one of their previous seven domestic matchups across all formats. With that run highlighted by a 2-0 victory against Spurs while on EFL Cup duties last month, the former Swansea boss is calling on his side to find a route out of the drop zone. However, taking just a pair of points from their last seven Premier League contests away from the City Ground, Forest should face another stern test here.

Team News

Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson will miss out on Tuesday night as he is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Nottingham Forest will certainly be without the likes of Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards, Moussa Niakhate and Cheikhou Kouyate here. Likewise, Cooper’s men are also sweating over the fitness of Serge Aurier and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in February 1999, Manchester United picked up an infamous 8-1 victory at the City Ground.
• Tuesday’s hosts have won each of their last five showdowns at Old Trafford across all formats by an aggregate score of 12-2.
• Nottingham Forest have collected just two points from any of their last seven Premier League matchups away from the City Ground.
• Likewise, Cooper’s men have also draw a blank in each of their last five top-flight away fixtures.
• The Red Devils have suffered just a single Premier League defeat since October 2nd.

Conclusion

While Nottingham Forest might have enjoyed an eye-catching flurry prior to the festive break, Cooper’s men will know that they face a stern test on Tuesday night. Taking just two points from any of their previous seven Premier League matchups away from the City Ground, Manchester United will be looking to lay down a marker on home soil. Marking their return to action with a 2-0 victory against Championship high-flyers Burnley earlier in the week, ten Hag’s side have also continued to impress at Old Trafford this season. Winning each of their last five showdowns in Manchester by an aggregate score of 12-2, we’re backing a home win for the Champions League contenders in midweek.

Verdict: Manchester United win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet