Nottingham Forest v Man Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

The Red Devils have won three straight and face a Forest side with eight defeats in 11 at the City Ground.

Match: Nottingham Forest v Man Utd
When: Saturday, 01 Nov 2025

Nottingham Forest Form

Forest are really struggling in the league right now. Going back to last season, their last 19 matches have yielded just three wins in all competitions. This season has seen both Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou sacked already. The latter failed to win any of his eight matches in charge.

A 1-0 home loss to Sunderland was a poor result and was followed by a 3-2 home loss in Europe to Midtjylland. They lost 2-0 at Newcastle and 3-0 at home to Chelsea to end Postecoglou’s brief time in charge. Sean Dyche oversaw a 2-0 win over Porto before losing 2-0 at Bournemouth last weekend.

Nottingham Forest Team News

New coach Sean Dyche is without Ola Aina at left back. Chris Wood, Oleks Zinchenko and Dilane Bakwa are also expected to miss this match.

Ryan Yates could come into the XI in place of Douglas Luiz to add more steel. Taiwo Awoniyi or Igor Jesus will lead the line in the absence of Wood.

Nottingham Forest Motivation

Forest need something from this match. They have to end their league slump and would likely accept a point.

Dyche won’t care about possession and will look to deny Man Utd space. Fast counters will be the order of the day.

Man Utd Form

Man Utd have won five of their last seven matches as they finally seem to be getting to grips with Ruben Amorim’s tactics. A last-gasp 3-2 home win over Burnley saw 3.63 xG produced. After losing 3-0 at Man City, they beat ten-man Chelsea 2-1 at home.

A 3-1 loss at Brentford saw United go back to their old ways, before stringing together three straight league wins. They won 2-0 at home to Sunderland, scored late to famously win 2-1 at Liverpool and beat Brighton last weekend. A 4-2 home win saw the Red Devils leading 3-0 at one stage.

Man Utd Team News

United are without centre back Lisandro Martinez, though the defender is now back in full training. Harry Maguire is a doubt after missing the last match, but he could return to boost options in defence.

Ruben Amorim has a full-strength team otherwise. It could be an unchanged XI with Diogo Dalot at left wing-back and Mason Mount on the bench.

Man Utd Motivation

The Red Devils are finally playing with confidence and belief. They will go to Forest and see this as a winnable game. They won’t settle for a draw at any point.

United will use a pragmatic approach at times, but will also look to choose their moments to attack. They may target Forest’s depleted left flank, as they did to Liverpool.

Key Stats

• Nottingham Forest have lost 13 of their last 21 matches
• Nottingham Forest have lost 8 of their last 11 home matches
• Man Utd have won 5 of their last 7 EPL matches (7 losses in 11 before that)
• Man Utd have lost 2 of their last 3 away matches at Nottingham Forest
• Man Utd’s Bryan Mbeumo has scored 3 goals in his last 2 matches

Verdict

This should be a good game. Dyche knows how to beat the bigger sides. Despite United’s recent resurgence, the hosts could end their winning streak.

Best Bet: Nottingham Forest win/draw at 1.75

Alternate Bet: Both Teams to Score at 1.57

Anytime Goalscorer Tip: Bryan Mbeumo at 3.10