Manchester United v Nottingham Forest predictions

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Nottingham Forest to score first
1pt 11-4 bet365

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Team news

Manchester United
Christian Eriksen has been ruled out until April with an ankle injury. Fred may replace him, while Scott McTominay and Luke Shaw could feature having missed Saturday's FA Cup win over Reading.

Nottingham Forest
Morgan Gibbs-White is out with an ankle problem. Ryan Yates is struggling with a virus and Chris Wood is cup-tied.

Match preview

It seems a matter of routine that Manchester United will book their place in the EFL Cup final after winning the first leg of their semi-final 3-0 at Nottingham Forest.

No team in the competition's history has surrendered such an advantage at this stage and it was a highly professional performance at the City Ground a week ago that has put them in such a commanding position, just when neutrals would have enjoyed the prospect of a more competitive tie heading into the second game.

But there is still some interest that can be generated from a punting perspective and it may be worth backing Forest to go down fighting.

While strong challenges for silverware are a desired part of life at Old Trafford, even if these days success is no longer a regular occurrence, it is a notable achievement for Steve Cooper's side to reach the last four of the League Cup.

Strides have been made towards ensuring they maintain the Premier League status it took 24 years to win back, and despite the avoidance of relegation being the absolute priority, they have got a free shot at the second leg.

United flew out of the blocks at the City Ground with red-hot Marcus Rashford firing them into a sixth-minute lead, but Erik ten Hag's side may be more relaxed given the control they have over the tie. And if the Old Trafford crowd are in a party mood from the off, it could be difficult for the Red Devils to focus.

Forest have no such worries. They can go all-out from the first whistle and produce a goal that could just wake the home side up.

The loss of Morgan Gibbs-White is a blow, but Forest have shown since Christmas that they have a bit more belief in themselves on the road.

They were defeated 3-0 at Old Trafford on December 27, but Cooper's visitors are now regular goalscorers on their travels, having scored just once in their opening eight league away games.

A win at bottom-of-the-table Southampton and a draw at Bournemouth may not set the world alight, but those results will have given them a timely boost in their battle against the drop. And while they were outplayed in the first leg, Forest have beaten Liverpool in the Premier League and knocked Tottenham out of this competition.

The Midlanders have nothing to lose and they may just catch a United side already looking ahead to Wembley cold with the first goal at Old Trafford.

Key stat

Nottingham Forest have scored in four of their last five league and cup away matches.

Probable teams

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
Subs: Garnacho, Pellistri, Heaton, McTominay, Shaw, Williams, Varane

Nottingham Forest (4-3-3): Hennessey; Aurier, Worrall, McKenna, Lodi; Freuler, Danilo, Scarpa; Johnson, Surridge, Dennis
Subs: Colback, Lingard, O'Brien, Williams, Smith, Mangala, Boly

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