2023-24 Premier League: Week 20 – Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United

Nottingham Forest continue their fight for Premier League survival against Manchester United at the City Ground.

Should Brentford and Crystal Palace draw in their clash at Selhurst Park, victory would see Forest move up to 15th and potentially five points clear of the relegation zone.

Man Utd meanwhile can go sixth with a win.

 

Team News

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Ibrahim Sangare is suspended for Forest after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in Forest’s comeback win at Newcastle.

Willy Boly could return from suspension but Felipe (muscle), Serge Aurier (calf) and Taiwo Awoniyi (groin) remain absent.

Man Utd will be without Luke Shaw and Sofyan Amrabat after the pair suffered muscle injuries during the comeback win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Amad Diallo (knee) and Anthony Martial (illness) are doubts but Victor Lindelof (knock), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Harry Maguire (muscle), Casemiro (hamstring), Mason Mount (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Jadon Sancho (personal) remain sidelined.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Forest host Man Utd at 5:30pm GMT on Saturday 30 December at the City Ground, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

  • Forest have won one of their last 11 league meetings against Man Utd (W1, D2, L8).
  • Man Utd have avoided defeat in their last six league visits to Forest (W4, D2).
  • Forest are yet to be awarded a penalty in any Premier League meeting against Man Utd.
  • Four of Chris Wood’s seven goals for Forest this season has been scored at home.
  • Man Utd have scored one goal in their last four away matches (W1, D1, L2).

 

Prediction

Having battled to a clinical comeback victory at Newcastle for the first time in the Premier League, Forest now need to take that confidence and show more energy consistently across both halves – having weathered the Magpies’ first half attack before turning the screws themselves.

Man Utd meanwhile were lucky that Villa defensively switched off at two goals to the good because for all of their attacking intent, the Red Devils were wasteful and really ought to of lost that game yet they somehow dug in and clinically turned the game around in the second half

Now if Utd can bring that second-half intensity into this game then they should continue their strong away form in this fixture, although Forest seem to be benefitting from the managerial bounce so should have enough quality to give Man Utd a scrap.

On that note, I wouldn’t be surprised if Forest are able to snatch something especially with Utd missing Shaw and Amrabat, whose absences will definitely be felt here.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester United

Result: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Manchester United

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