Betting tips for Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United: Carabao Cup preview and odds

Belfast Telegraph

25 January 2023

Betting tips for Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United: Carabao Cup preview and odds

Nottingham Forest welcome Manchester United to the City ground for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie Wednesday (kick-off, 8pm).

United have their eyes on a first trophy under Erik ten Hag but their eight-game unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end with a 3-2 defeat to league leaders Arsenal on Sunday.

Steve Cooper’s Forest side have picked up in recent weeks and are enjoying their best run of the season, having lost only one of their previous six games across all competitions.

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United betting tips

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Hennessey has his hands full

Manchester United’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal ended an unbeaten run of eight games in all competitions that included a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last month, but the performance of Erik ten Hag’s side on Sunday suggests they have what it takes to bounce back here.

Wayne Hennessey made his Premier League debut for Forest against United, with Dean Henderson ineligible against his parent club, and will start again on Wednesday night.

The 36-year-old has conceded an average of two goals per game this season and could be in for another busy night against United.

In five of United’s previous six games in all competitions over 2.5 goals has landed – and we expect the same against Forest.

Tip: Manchester United to win and over 2.5 goals @ 8/5 with Ladbrokes

No stopping Rashford

Marcus Rashford is playing arguably the best football of his career and continued his extraordinary recent run with a stunning goal in his side’s loss at Arsenal on Sunday.

The 25-year-old has scored nine times in his previous 10 Carabao Cup games as well as netting nine goals in his past nine appearances in all competitions.

In terms of shots on target, Rashford averages 2.2 over his last five games, including one appearance from the bench. (Source: Infogol)

With the shots on target offering more value than backing him to score, we have gone for Rashford to have at least two shots on target against Nottingham Forest.

Tip: Marcus Rashford to have 2+ shots on target @ 11/8 with Ladbrokes

Johnson in the action

Brennan Johnson has been one of Nottingham Forest’s best players in their recent revival but has also had disciplinary issues in that time.

The 21-year-old has been shown a yellow card in three of his previous five appearances in all competitions and that run could continue against a pacy United side.

At the other end of the pitch, Johnson has had an average of 2.4 shots per game in his last five starts, including five against Bournemouth last time out. (Source: Infogol).

We expect the Wales forward to be in the thick of the action once again against United and prove to be Forest’s best attacking outlet.

Tip: Brennan Johnson to be shown a card and have 2+ shots @ 17/2 with Ladbrokes

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Nottingham Forest team news

Henderson, who is ineligible to face his parent side anyway, is injured along with Moussa Niakhate, Guilian Biancome, Omar Richards, Cheikhou Kouyate and Taiwo Awoniyi. Ryan Yates is a doubt and Chris Wood is cup-tied.

Nottingham Forest predicted line-up (4-3-1-2): Hennessey; Aurier, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Danilo, Freuler, Mangala; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Surridge.

Manchester United team news

Ten Hag has no fresh fitness worries after his side’s defeat by Arsenal but tonight’s game is United’s ninth in 29 days so there may be some changes from Sunday. Donny van de Beek, Anthony Martial, Diogo Dalot and Jadon Sancho are all out through injury but Casemiro is available again.

Manchester United predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, Casemiro; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst.