Manchester United visit Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night in a EFL Cup semifinal clash, leg one of two. The Tricky Trees are surprise semifinalists, having beaten Grimsby Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Blackburn Rovers and Wolves on the way to this match-up.
Meanwhile Manchester United are looking to end their half-decade trophy drought, having reached this stage by vanquishing Aston Villa, Burnley FC and Charlton Athletic. We’re down to the final four now, so let’s get it on.
Manchester United at Nottingham Forest FYIs
Competition: EFL Cup Semifinal Leg 1/2
Kickoff: Wed Jan 25, 8pm, City Ground
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Team News for Both Sides: Go here
Other Semifinal Preview Content: Go Here And Here
Forest is dealing with a slew of injuries, including Jesse Lingard, who given how bitter his departure from United was, would love to face his former side. We don’t think he’ll be ready in time though.
Given the current fitness situation for both sides, heres what we think the two first teams are going to look like in midweek.
Starting XI Predictions for Both Sides
Nottingham Forest
Hennessey; Aurier, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Freuler, Yates, Mangala; Scarpa; Gibbs-White, Johnson.
Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Butland; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; Casemiro, McTominay; Eriksen, Bruno, Antony; Garnacho
Prediction: United 2, Nottingham Forest 0
It’s going to be a tough one for the visitors, but I think they’ll be able to take the advantage, and pack it up to bring it home with them for the next leg. Especially given how banged up the Trees are right now.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.