Game Week 31 Predictions: Nottingham Forest to shock United?

Game Week 31 Predictions: Nottingham Forest to shock United? - Premier League preview, betting tips, team news

 

Nottingham Forest can help their survival charge with a precious point or more when an indifferent Manchester United visit the Community Stadium on Sunday. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester United

The Community Stadium

4:30pm

Manchester United will approach this game with caution; a trip to Sevilla awaits them on Thursday, and they will be without Bruno Fernandes for the game. Priorities may have to be set now.

The Red Devils blew a two-goal lead at home to the Spanish side in their Europa League encounter a few days ago and must now do it the hard way away from home. 

The fitness of Marcus Rashford is still unconfirmed, and Erik Ten Hag will have to make do with the men at his disposal at the time.

Nottingham Forest could jump out of the drop zone with a point at home against the Red Devils and will have to earn it if they ever want to achieve it. 

They have a great chance of doing this considering the state of their visitors and the present dynamics, and they must go for it.

United should be beating Forest even on their worst days; no disrespect to Steve Cooper’s side, but it will be a game of who wants it more.

And should United field the likes of Anthony Elanga and Wout Weghorst as expected, Forest could fancy their chances.

Manchester United saw Spurs and Newcastle drop points on Saturday.

A point would be sufficient for the visitors to move to third on the table.

But a three-point cushion on Newcastle would be a great development in the top-four battle.

How will United line up? 

It’s hard to tell; Lisandro Martinez is injured and could well be out for the remainder of the season after a nasty injury in midweek against Sevilla. 

It’s that time of the season when a slight injury could be costly due to fatigue and general weaknesses, so United will be cautious.

Anthony Martial is the focal point upfront in the absence of Rashford.

Rashford could be rested or brought on as an impact sub later on. 

Christian Eriksen needs a run of games for fitness.

He should get it against Forest, while Scott McTominay and Marcel Sabitzer are expected to feature.

There’s an avalanche of players available to Cooper, but what’s the quality of his options compared to the man in the other dugout? 

Cooper is one of the managers who has made the most changes to matchday squads, and this makes it hard to predict his starting lineup.

Either way, it’s United’s game to lose, but Forest can go for it and pounce, as they did when Manchester City came to town. 

Their survival depends on their level of bravery, and games like this could define fine margins.

Verdict: Both teams will score.