NOTTINGHAM FOREST have picked a bad time to go into a Premier League tailspin and face a daunting task getting their season back on track when Manchester United come calling.
The decision to keep faith with Steve Cooper looked to be a shrewd one when Forest embarked on a run that saw them climb to mid-table but they have since gone nine games without a win to plummet into the drop zone.
With things so congested in the bottom half of the table, Cooper's side still have time to save their season but they have some daunting fixtures ahead, with this clash against United followed by a trip to Anfield and a visit from high-flying Brighton.
And if the poor form continues then owner Evangelos Marinakis may finally lose patience with the man who led Nottingham Forest back to the promised land against the odds last season.
This could be a good time to face Manchester United, with Erik ten Hag's side blowing a two-goal lead against Sevilla in the Europa League on Thursday as Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane picked up injuries to join Marcus Rashford in the treatment room.
But the Old Trafford giants are also desperate for Premier League points as they target a top-four finish so they will be going all out for another victory. I cashed in by backing them for a win to nil last weekend at home to Everton and United will be confident of seeing off another struggling side.
How the bookies view it
Manchester United are odds-on favourites for this one at a best 4/6 with SpreadEx while Nottingham Forest are as big as 9/2 with William Hill. Cooper's side did manage to draw with Manchester City at home and a repeat against the red half of the city pays 16/5 at BetUK.
Recent head to head
This is the fourth meeting of these sides this season after they faced off in the Carabao Cup semis. Manchester United won 3-0 in the first leg of that clash at the City Ground then finished the job with a 2-0 victory at Old Trafford. They also beat Forest 3-0 in Manchester in the league and have racked up nine successive victories in this fixture since a 1-1 draw in Nottingham back in 1995.
Players to watch
Morgan Gibbs-White always catches the eye for Nottingham Forest whenever I see them play and is the creative spark in midfield. He's 13/2 at SkyBet for a third goal of the season but is more likely for an assist and that pays 7/2 at McBookie. Unibet also price Gibbs-White at 11/10 just to have a shot on target.
Ten Hag backed Anthony Martial to step up in the absence of Rashford and the Frenchman delivered with an impressive performance against Sevilla. The striker is 47/20 at Unibet for anytime scorer which looks generous.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams need to go for a win so it bodes well for an entertaining game. Backing both teams to score paid off for me at Old Trafford on Thursday as a full house of tips came up. I fancy it here again at a best 10/11 at Unibet while over 2.5 goals is a bit shorter at 4/5 with Bet365. Over 1.5 first-half goals came up in the draw with Sevilla and a repeat here pays 7/4 with Coral.
It ended 10-0 on the corner count when Manchester City came to the City Ground a few weeks ago so backing the Red Devils in that handicap could pay off. Paddy Power price United -2 at 13/10 and that looks decent value.
Harry Toffolo has been booked in two of his last three outings for Nottingham Forest so the midfielder looks a little overpriced for a card at 21/4 with Unibet if he starts.
This English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United will be played on Apr 16, 2023 and kick off at 16:30. Check below for our tipsters best Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Btts no
Second half more goals
Corners over6. 5
Gibbs anytime scorer
Nottingham under 1.5
Manchester over 0.5