The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the upcoming Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United at the City Ground on Saturday.
Saturday will be an action-packed day in the Premier League, with the proceedings beginning with the game between Luton Town and Chelsea at Kenilworth Road. Nottingham Forest and Manchester United will bring the curtains down on the day’s events at the City Ground.
Both teams head into Saturday’s clash on the back of much-needed wins. While Manchester United came from two goals down to beat Aston Villa 3-2, Nottingham Forest produced a dominant showing to overcome Newcastle United. Those results pulled the two sides up in the Premier League standings.
Where To Watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United will kick off at 5:30 pm GMT at the City Ground on Saturday evening. Sky Sports will telecast the game in the UK and Ireland. As for readers in India, the Star Sports Network will show the match, with Disney+ Hotstar streaming it.
Viewers in the USA can watch the match on NBC. If you want the stream the game, the NBC website and Peacock Premium are your go-to avenues. Finally, Optus Sport will broadcast the fixture in Australia.
Form
Nottingham Forest: LLDLLW
Nottingham Forest finally ended a dreadful winless streak on Boxing Day by dismantling Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. A Chris Wood hat-trick did the trick for the Tricky Trees. But they were on a terrible run before that, failing to win their previous seven fixtures. That brought an end to Steve Cooper’s time at the club, with Nuno Espirito Santo replacing him.
Manchester United: WLLDLW
Like Nottingham Forest, Manchester United returned to winning ways this week. The Red Devils came from two goals down to beat Aston Villa, with the result having the potential to turn their season around. Erik ten Hag’s men had failed to win their four previous games and did not find the back of the net into those outings, going nearly seven hours without a goal.
Head-To-Head Record
The head-to-head record between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United heavily favours the Red Devils, who have clinched 53 wins. The Tricky Trees have emerged victorious 33 times (D24). Manchester United have won the last 11 meetings, including the reverse fixture this season. One of these was the incredible 8-1 thrashing of Nottingham Forest in February 1999.
Key Stats
- Nottingham Forest have lost their last 11 meetings with Manchester United in all competitions, including each of the past four at home by an aggregate score of 17-1.
- Manchester United have failed to score in their last three Premier League away games, losing 1-0 to Newcastle United, drawing 0-0 with Liverpool and losing 2-0 at West Ham United. They have not gone four league games on the road without a goal since April 1989.
- Nuno Espirito Santo has only won one of his seven Premier League games against Manchester United (D3 L3), losing the last three. Among teams he has faced five or more times in the competition, only against Liverpool (no wins in six) does he have a lower win percentage than against the Red Devils (14%).
- With four goals and one assist, Chris Wood has been involved in Nottingham Forest’s last five Premier League goals. He has as many goal contributions in his past two league games (four goals, one assist) as he had in his previous 27 combined (five goals).
- Antony has only found the back of the net once in his most recent 18 away appearances in the Premier League, although that strike came in this fixture last season. He scored and assisted away to Nottingham Forest in April (a 2-0 win), the only time he has done so in a single game in the competition.
Prediction and Betting Tips
Manchester United’s recent away form has been dreadful, with the Red Devils not scoring in the last three Premier League games on the road. But Erik ten Hag might have unlocked an intriguing combination earlier this week against Aston Villa. In addition, the hosts have a poor record at the City Ground. So, we predict Manchester United to win.
Manchester United’s defence remains as vulnerable as it has ever been in the Premier League era. Teams often find it easy to slice them open. But the Red Devils should also find the back of the net on Saturday. So, expect both teams to score.
