TWO teams who both bagged morale-boosting Premier League victories on Boxing Day do battle at the City Ground on Saturday evening, as Nottingham Forest entertain Manchester United.
After starting his tenure with a 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth, Nuno Espirito Santo secured his maiden win as Forest boss with a brilliant 3-1 win away at Newcastle.
That triumph has kept the Tricky Trees’ heads just about above water in their fight for survival, as they remain two points above the relegation zone.
Aiming to pull themselves further away from trouble, Nottingham Forest will now look to win back-to-back games in the Premier League for the first time this season when Manchester United come to town.
The Red Devils snapped their three-game winless run in the top-flight in style by launching a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Aston Villa 3-2 at Old Trafford.
That rescue job has helped ease some of the pressure that was beginning to mount on manager Erik ten Hag’s shoulders and the Dutchman will be hoping that victory will act as a springboard for further success when he takes his side to the City Ground on Saturday.
Outright Betting
Nottingham Forest, who have lost each of their last four Premier League home games, are 2/1 (Bet 365) outsiders while a point apiece has been priced up at 13/5 (Bet 365).
Despite failing to win any of their last three Premier League away games, Manchester United go into their final fixture of 2023 as 5/4 favourites with William Hill.
Betting Angles
It’s difficult to have too much faith in either side here so I’ve constructed another Bet Builder in the shape of each team to receive a card and Diogo Dalot to commit a foul at 4/5 (Bet 365).
Nottingham Forest are averaging 2.42 bookings per-game in the Premier League this season, with the Tricky Trees collecting at least one card in each of their 19 outings to date.
As for Manchester United, their bookings per 90 average sits at 2.37, with Erik ten Hag’s team tackling their way into trouble in 16 of their 19 top-flight outings this term thus far.
With that in mind, as well as the City Ground being one of the Premier League’s most atmospheric venues, I’m more than happy to back both teams to receive a minimum of one card from referee Andrew Madley.
Given that Diogo Dalot has committed at least one foul in 12 of his 17 Premier League I’ll also go with the Red Devils defender to give away at least one free-kick against a Forest side that possesses plenty of pace on the flanks.
This Bet Builder landed relatively comfortably during August's reverse fixture and I see no reason to oppose the same formula on Saturday evening at 4/5 with Bet 365.
Moving into the anytime goalscorer market, I’m also prepared to have a small play on Alejandro Garnacho to grab a goal here at 10/3 with Bet 365.
Fresh off his match-winning performance against Aston Villa, the Argentine ace looks overpriced to to notch against a Nottingham Forest side with just three clean sheets to show from their 19 Premier League outings this season so far.
This English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester United will be played on Dec 30, 2023 and kick off at 17:30. 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.
