Back in the relegation spots, Nottingham Forest know that they need to start picking up wins and soon. The Trent side are in a poor run of form, and the stay of confidence provided to their coach, Steve Cooper, was not exactly a ringing endorsement.
With Manchester United coming to the Midlands having endured their own mediocre run of results, Forest might never find a better time to play the Red Devils.
Nottingham Forest News
Given Forest signed what feels like two squads worth of players since last summer, they somehow have an injury crisis. The report for this game suggests a ridiculous eight players are definitely out, with a further four set to be touch and go.
It would be hard to say who is the most important given how chop and change the team has felt, but the loss of full-backs Renan Lodi and Serge Aurier alongside Willy Boly and Chris Wood means that Forest are depleted in both defensive and attacking areas. Emmanuel Denis is the one on the injury list closest to returning, but it is unlikely he will start.
Manchester United News
United come into this game with a few injuries of their own, with Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez not both injured for the medium-term. Raphael Varane came off in midweek against Sevilla, too, and Alejandro Garnacho is unlikely to make it back in time for this one. Scott McTominay is touch and go, though it is hard to say for sure if he can recover in time for this clash.
Verdict
Both sides have been in pretty average form recently, but United have had the edge over Forest in league and cup play so far this year. Forest have had a decent enough run of form at home, but United should have too much for them in this one – expect a comfortable United win to further put the pressure on Cooper and co.
Score Prediction: 0-2
