The Carabao Cup semifinal second leg between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will take place on Wednesday night at the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford. Manchester United have one foot in the final at Wembley thanks to their 3-0 win at the City Ground in the first leg.
Manchester United romped to the win thanks to goals from Marcus Rashford and Wout Weghorst in the opening half. The Red Devils got a third goal thanks to Bruno Fernandes with a minute left to play. Fernandes’ goal has likely killed off the tie.
Manchester United have now defeated Forest on two occasions this season. The Red Devils won both matches (Premier League and EFL Cup) by 3-0 scores. Manchester United go into the game on a two-game winning streak.
Erik ten Hag’s side won 3-1 against Reading at the weekend in the FA Cup. Forest are winless in back-to-back games and did not play at the weekend in the FA Cup after being defeated by Blackpool in the third round.
Sportsbooks have Manchester United as the favourites to win the fixture at odds of 2/5. Nottingham Forest are the underdog at odds of 7/1. Bookmakers have the teams at odds of 15/4 to draw at full-time.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Team News
Despite Man United playing well in all competitions, Erik ten Hag has nine players on the injured and suspension list ahead of the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinal. Donny van de Beek is ruled out of the game due to a knee injury. Midfielder Christian Eriksen is ruled out with an ankle injury and will rest on Wednesday night.
Diogo Dalot is out with a thigh injury. Axel Tuanzebe has a lower back injury which will keep him out of the team. Forward Anthony Martial has a thigh muscle problem which will keep him sidelined. Winger Jadon Sancho is likely to miss the game due to a fitness problem. Sancho is a forgotten man at Old Trafford at the halfway point of the season.
Defender Luke Shaw is fighting for fitness and could return following an illness. However, Ten Hag doesn’t have to push the full-back to play with the team leading 3-0. Midfielder Scott McTominay could also miss the fixture due to a fitness issue.
Seven players are on the injury and suspension list at Nottingham Forest. Taiwo Awoniyi is out of action with a groin problem. Omar Richards and Moussa Niakhate are both ruled out with injuries. Joining them on the sidelines will be Dean Henderson, Giulian Biancone, Cheikhou Koyate, and Morgan Gibbs-White are all ruled out or highly unlikely to play.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest H2H
United have won twice against Forest this season in league and cup matches by identical 3-0 scores. Marcus Rashford scored in both games and bagged the opening goal in each match. Rashford is having his best season ever as a Red Devil. Rashford has 18 goals in 30 games this season in all competitions. He is playing his best football in domestic cup competitions, with six goals in six games.
Forest have been terrible on the road this season, with a record of 3W-3D-7L. The Reds have scored 11 times away from the City Ground and conceded 28 times. They score a goal on the road on average during the 59th minute, while conceding on average in the 50th minute.
Manchester United have a record of 14W-1D-2L this season at Old Trafford with 36 goals for and 10 goals against. Since drawing 1-1 with Crystal Palace and losing 3-2 versus Arsenal, Man United are on a two-game winning streak.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Betting Tips
Manchester United posted two wins this season against Forest in league and cup fixtures. The Red Devils posted two 3-0 wins and fans will be salivating that they win another match versus Forest by a 3-0 score.
United are at odds of 17/2 to win 3-0 against Nottingham Forest. There isn’t a lot of value in a Manchester United win at odds of 2/5. The Red Devils should post a victory over Forest. The real decision is about how Man United will win the game.
Rashford is 11/10 to score anytime. Erik ten Hag may rest the striker for the game and Rashford isn’t certain to start the game – or even come on in the second half as a substitute. Rashford scored the opening goal in both Man United wins over Nottingham Forest this season. The striker is at the best betting odds of 10/3 to score first.
United are 5/4 to win to nil against Forest. The Reds do not score a lot of away goals and failed to put a goal past United’s defence in two previous fixtures this season.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest Prediction
Manchester United should progress to the Carabao Cup Final with a win over Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. Forest manager Steve Cooper may circle the wagons and play a very different squad to the one from the first leg.
Forest have to score at least four goals and prevent Man United from scoring to win the tie. Forest have scored just 11 times this season on the road. They would need to score over a third of their away goals to defeat United in the semifinal second leg.
Manchester United’s defence should shine once more and post a win to nil versus Forest. It should be another long night against Man United for Forest. Now, Cooper can focus on keeping Forest in the Premier League, as they attempt to avoid relegation.
On the other side of the Carabao Cup bracket, Man United will likely face Newcastle United. However, the Magpies must hold onto their slender 1-0 lead going into Tuesday night’s second leg versus Southampton.
Our betting tips prediction is for Man United to pick up a win against Forest. The Red Devils should pick up a win to nil and ease through to the final at Wembley in late February.
