As the Premier League run-in commences, high-flying Nottingham Forest welcome Manchester United to the City Ground on Tuesday night [20:00 BST] looking to secure their first league double over the Red Devils since 1991-92.
After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, few would have predicted Nottingham Forest to be fighting for Champions League qualification heading into the 2024-25 campaign. Yet, with nine games remaining, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side sit third in the table and six points clear of Manchester City, who currently occupy the expected final Champions League spot in fifth.
Unlike their upcoming opponents, Manchester United have significantly underachieved this season and are on track for their lowest league position in Premier League history. However, Ruben Amorim’s side are currently unbeaten in their last four top-flight outings, including a dominant 3-0 victory away to Leicester City last time out.
The Tricky Trees will head into Tuesday’s clash full of confidence after they made their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991 following a penalty shoot-out victory against Brighton on Saturday, whilst United will be hoping to kickstart a run of seven matches in April with a win.
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It was a historic encounter in the reverse fixture for Forest in December, as they ran out 3-2 winners to secure their first victory at Old Trafford in 30 years. United also lost the previous league meeting at the City Ground last season but managed a late winner there on their way to winning the FA Cup.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s side will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at home in the Premier League to nine matches, having won six of their previous eight. If they were to collect three points, it would be the first time since the 1988-89/1989-90 league campaigns that Forest would have defeated United at the City Ground in consecutive seasons.
Meanwhile, Manchester United will be hoping to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season. Incredibly, United are one of only three sides to have not won successive fixtures so far, along with Southampton and Leicester City.
Opta’s supercomputer gives the away side a 31.1% chance of winning on Tuesday, whilst Forest are favoured slightly more with a 42.9% chance of claiming all three points. A draw was ranked at 26%.
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Following a draining FA Cup tie away to Brighton, Nuno has revealed that every player in his squad is being assessed. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga both came off the bench on Saturday, but are expected to start from the off ahead of a crucial match for their European aspirations.
Forest will unfortunately be without their top goalscorer, Chris Wood, who suffered a hip injury whilst on international duty with New Zealand.
As for United, Amorim has confirmed that Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire are available for selection ahead of their tip to the East Midlands. However, the game comes too soon for the likes of Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Jonny Evans to return. Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martínez and Ayden Heaven, who was stretchered off in their last Premier League fixture, are all long-term absentees.
We expect Anthony Elanga and Bruno Fernandes to be the two players to watch on Tuesday evening. Elanga has proven to be a constant attacking threat for Forest this season, accumulating five goals and eight assists in the league, and the ex-United star will be wanting to prove a point against his former side. Meanwhile, Fernandes has often been United’s saviour this season and was involved in four goals during United’s unbeaten run in March.
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Nottingham Forest v Manchester United will be live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 19:00 BST ahead of kickoff at 20:00 BST.
FromTheSpot Prediction
We expect Forest to to boost their hopes of Champions League qualification by edging a 2-1 victory at the City Ground on Tuesday evening.
Forest have opened the scoring a league-high 22 times this season and, with a formidable record at home, it is hard to see past a win for the Tricky Trees.