Nottingham Forest’s season to remember could hold more surprises between now and the end of May. Yes, because the Garibaldi Reds, in addition to shining in the Premier League, also secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1991 last Saturday. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side won on penalties in the quarter-finals against Brighton – the match ended 0-0 after extra time – and remain in contention for a major title, the English national cup.
The Portuguese coach and his men are achieving a real feat, considering that at the start of the season, a comfortable mid-table finish seemed to be the best Forest could hope for. In the league, however, Yates and his teammates are very close to a historic qualification for the Champions League: at City Ground, it is legitimate to dream because after 29 games, the Tricky Trees are third in the standings, with a 7-point lead over sixth-placed Newcastle (in all likelihood, five teams will qualify for the continent’s top competition this year). Unbeaten in their last eight home games, Forest will be looking for another big scalp in this midweek fixture, this time against a faltering Manchester United, who they beat 3-2 in the first leg at Old Trafford (they haven’t beaten the Red Devils twice in a season since 1991-92, when legend Brian Clough was in charge).
Espirito Santo worried about two players
There are currently 17 points separating Nottingham Forest and United. Ruben Amorim’s side have not played since March 16, when they thrashed Leicester 3-0 away from home.
It was a resounding victory at the King Power Stadium, but it did not allow the Red Devils to return to the left side of the table. Manchester United remain 13th, 10 points behind seventh place, and probably the only way to play in the Champions League next year is to win the Europa League (the Red Devils will face Lyon in the quarter-finals). In Nottingham, Amorim is likely to give former Lecce player Dorgu a chance after his suspension, but he also hopes to have Yoro back in defense. Espirito Santo, on the other hand, is crossing his fingers: two regular starters, Gibbs-White and Wood, both picked up injuries in the match against Brighton.
Odds comparison
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The prediction
It’s no surprise that bookmakers consider Nottingham Forest the favorites in light of the great season the Reds are having. Keep an eye on Manchester United, though, as they are fresher, having spent a lot of energy last Saturday in the FA Cup: the Red Devils should be able to score at least one goal at City Ground in what promises to be an eventful match.
Probable line-ups for Nottingham Forest-Manchester United
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Sels; Ola Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, N. Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Jota Silva, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Elanga.
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-3): Onana; de Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Bruno Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2