BARRING a footballing miracle, Manchester United look set to complete the job and ease in to the Carabao Cup Final when they host Nottingham Forest in the second leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford.
The City Ground was rocking last week in the first leg, but the atmosphere deflated when Marcus Rashford netted an early goal and the two more added by Erik ten Haag's men surely put the tie to bed.
At two goals down after a first leg, you always have a chance but overturning a three goal deficit with the return leg at Old Trafford is in the realms of fantasy for Forest surely.
Added to this, you have a United side who have bounced back from a last minute defeat at Arsenal comfortably and their trajectory continues to be on an upward spiral.
United have failed to win any trophy at all since 2017 and lifting this silverware would be an enormous boost for the Dutchman who has made rapid progress this season.
Forest, who are again super busy in the transfer market, will want to at least regain some respectability after a chastising first leg, but it does look like only pride is at stake here.
How the bookies view it
Manchester United are a best priced 4/9 to collect another win with Coral. Nottingham Forest are 39/5 to win with SBK and the draw is 7/2 with Paddy Power.
Forest are 100/1 to qualify with bet365.
Recent head to head
As stated, United cruised to that 3-0 win last week with Rashford's early goal being added to by Wout Weghorst and Bruno Fernandes.
United also won 3-0 in the league at Old Trafford.
Forest's last win at the ground was in 1994.
Players to watch
Wout Weghorst was a somewhat surprising signing for Manchester United, but the giant Dutchman opened his account against Forest and is 7/4 with bet365 to net.
Sam Sturridge had a goal disallowed in the offside after VAR intervention and he is 11/2 with bet365 to score.
Anything else catch the eye?
United would be a lot shorter if they hadn't had that first leg advantage, but with the form and momentum they have, it's hard to see them taking their foot off the pedal and they should reach the final in style.
Forest have no option other than to have a go, but United will want this put to bed as early as they can and it could be worth backing the hosts to win this half time and full time at 15/13 with 10bet.
United look a notch above Forest and they could quite conceivably win this by a couple of goals too. They are 6/5 with bet365 to win minus a goal on the handicap.
There should be goals with Forest going for it, so also go for the home win and over 2.5 goals at 6/5 with 10bet.
This EFL Cup match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest will be played on Feb 1, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
