[New post] Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest prediction, odds and betting tips
Greg Lea posted: " Manchester United have one foot in the final of the EFL Cup already, and they will be looking for a drama-free night when they host Nottingham Forest in this semi-final second leg. Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest odds Here are the " talkSPORT
Manchester United have one foot in the final of the EFL Cup already, and they will be looking for a drama-free night when they host Nottingham Forest in this semi-final second leg.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest odds
Here are the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest from bet365.
Manchester United: 2/5
Draw: 15/4
Nottingham Forest: 7/1
Best bookies to bet on Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest predictions
Manchester United are on the brink of a place in what would be only their third cup final since 2017.
Runners-up in the FA Cup in 2018 and again in the Europa League in 2021, United are desperate to claim their first piece of silverware for five and a half years.
They are bet365's favourites to win the EFL Cup this season, with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur having already been eliminated.
United made light work of Nottingham Forest in the first leg of this semi-final, running out 3-0 winners at the City Ground.
It was a very impressive result when you consider Steve Cooper's side have not lost any of their last six Premier League games in front of their own fans.
Goals from Marcus Rashford, Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes in Nottingham have put United in a commanding position, with Erik ten Hag likely to shuffle his pack for the return fixture.
United have a busy month coming up, with every midweek taken up with either Premier League or Europa League fixtures.
This could therefore be an opportunity for Ten Hag to rest the likes of Rashford, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, all of whom started the 3-1 victory over Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Our expert betting tips for Manchester United vs Reading in the FA Cup fourth-round.
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest betting tips
Nottingham Forest will give this a good go and an early goal could make Manchester United nervous, but it is hard to see the away team overturning such a substantial aggregate deficit.
Over 2.5 goals - 3/4 (bet365)
This bet would have come through in the first leg, but only just: United's third goal was scored by Fernandes in the 89th minute of the match.
The Portuguese's strike late on last week could end up changing how Ten Hag approaches this game.
Were United only 2-0 up on aggregate, the manager would probably take fewer risks. A three-goal cushion, however, gives the Red Devils significant breathing space and means they have additional margin for error on home turf.
A defeat would not necessarily be fatal for United, while Forest will be desperate to give their opponents something to think about on Wednesday. But it is hard to see Ten Hag's team losing at Old Trafford right now.
United have won 11 games on the bounce in front of their own fans. It is true that their opponents have not always been the strongest during this run - Sheriff, Burnley, Reading and Charlton Athletic are among the recent visitors to Old Trafford - but it is the sort of record that cannot be sniffed at.
It is notable, too, that all of United's last six matches on home turf have featured three goals or more.
Forest will need to take a few risks in a bid to get back into the tie, which could lead to an open encounter.
Both teams to score - 19/20 (bet365)
On a similar note, both teams to score could be an astute selection given the state of this tie.
It is simply human nature to take your eye off the ball when you are already three goals up on aggregate.
That is not to say United will be completely lacking focus. Ten Hag will want to see his team keep up the momentum generated by a run of 11 wins in their last 13 outings in all competitions.
But even if they start quickly in a bid to put the tie to bed once and for all, it is easy to envisage United's concentration dipping as the match wears on.
Meanwhile Forest will not be able to simply sit back and soak up pressure.
In normal circumstances 0-0 would be a positive scoreline for Cooper's side, and the onus would be on United to take the initiative.
On Wednesday, though, it is Forest who need to take the game to United.
They should be fresh and raring to go after a weekend off, and there have been a few signs of improvement as far as their previously dismal away record goes: Forest have collected four points from their last two away games in the league.
Away team first half highest scoring - 21/10 (bet365)
Odds of 100/1 demonstrate how unlikely it is that Forest will be playing in this year's EFL Cup final.
Even Cooper and his players know that they only have an extremely slim chance of progressing to the Wembley showpiece after that 3-0 defeat last time out.
If Forest are to at least keep things interesting, they need to reduce the aggregate deficit before half-time.
Cooper will not instruct his team to go gung-ho from minute one, but Forest must commit bodies to attack at an earlier stage of the game than they did in their 3-0 loss at Old Trafford in December.
If, as is probable, United are still comfortably ahead after an hour or so, Forest may choose to withdraw certain players with a view to saving their legs for this weekend's crunch clash with Leeds United.
The opening 45 minutes is when Forest must make their mark, or wave goodbye to the EFL Cup until next season.
How to watch Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
Date and time: Wednesday 1 February 2023, 8pm.
How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
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