Nottingham Forest vs. Man Utd: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Forest are coming off the back of a gruelling 120 minutes against Brighton in the FA Cup and will be far less fresh than their opponents. Forest remain a tough nut to crack on home soil but United have picked up some good results in recent weeks. Ultimately, we think the spoils will be shared here. Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester United.

As the Premier League season hurtles towards its climax, a fascinating encounter awaits at the City Ground, where high-flying Nottingham Forest will host a struggling Manchester United on April 1, 2025. This match pits two teams with vastly different trajectories this season: Forest, the surprise package vying for a Champions League spot, and United, grappling with the harsh realities of a disappointing campaign.

• Date: 01/04/2025
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: City Ground, Nottingham

Nottingham Forest, under the astute guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, have defied expectations by maintaining a strong grip on third place in the Premier League table. Their remarkable rise has been fueled by a potent mix of defensive solidity and attacking flair, spearheaded by the prolific Chris Wood, who has netted 18 goals this season. However, Forest's preparations for this crucial match have been complicated by injuries to key players, including Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White, who scored crucial goals in their FA Cup victory over Brighton.

Forest's home form has been a cornerstone of their success, with the team unbeaten in eight league matches at the City Ground. This sequence includes six wins and five clean sheets, highlighting their ability to dominate opponents on their own turf. The challenge now is to extend this impressive run against a United side desperate for points.

Manchester United, on the other hand, are facing one of their most challenging seasons in recent memory. Despite a recent upturn in form, including a convincing 3-0 win over Leicester City, the Red Devils remain mired in 13th place, a staggering 17 points behind their opponents. The team's away record has been particularly concerning, with only three wins from their last 12 league trips.

Under Ruben Amorim, United have shown glimpses of their former selves, but consistency has eluded them. The return of key players like Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro could provide a much-needed boost, but the absence of Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo continues to weaken their defensive options. Bruno Fernandes remains a pivotal figure, with his creativity and goal-scoring ability crucial to United's attacking endeavours.

Historically, Forest have enjoyed recent success against United, winning the last two Premier League encounters. Their most recent meeting saw Forest triumph 3-2 at Old Trafford in December, a result that highlighted their growing confidence against top-tier opponents. United will be keen to reverse this trend, but Forest's current form suggests they are well-equipped to secure another victory.

In terms of recent performances, Forest have been inconsistent in the league, with three wins and three defeats in their last seven matches. However, their FA Cup progress has injected a sense of momentum, and they will look to capitalise on this against United. The Red Devils, meanwhile, have struggled to find consistency, with six defeats and three draws in their last 13 league outings.

This game will be televised live to all subscribed UK viewers on TNT Sports 1.

Nottingham Forest Team News:

Predicted lineup: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, N Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Jota, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Elanga

Manchester United Team News:

Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dorgu; Garnacho, Hojlund, Zirkzee.

Nottingham Forest:

Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a stellar Premier League campaign, currently sitting third in the table. However, their recent form has been somewhat inconsistent. Over their last seven league matches, Forest have secured three wins but also suffered three defeats, highlighting some vulnerability. Their most notable victory came in the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they dispatched Brighton & Hove Albion on penalties to reach the semi-finals.

At home, Forest remain formidable, unbeaten in their last eight league games at the City Ground, with six wins and five clean sheets during this stretch. Their defensive resilience has been a key factor, while their attack has been spearheaded by Wood’s 18 league goals. However, with Wood’s fitness in doubt, Nuno Espírito Santo may need to rely on alternative options to maintain their push for Champions League qualification.

Manchester United:

Manchester United’s season has been a tale of underachievement. Currently languishing in 13th place, they have struggled for consistency under Ruben Amorim. In their last 13 league matches, United have suffered six defeats and managed only three victories. Their most recent outing was a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Leicester City, but such performances have been rare.

Away from home, United’s form has been particularly concerning, with just three wins in their last 12 league matches. Defensive frailties have plagued them throughout the campaign, exacerbated by injuries to several players. This inconsistency leaves United desperate for points as they aim to salvage some pride from a disappointing season.

• Latest match predictions
• Football tips
• Football accumulator tips
• Football bet of the day