CARABAO CUP: The Striker looks ahead to the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday between NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER UNITED with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V MANCHESTER UNITED
8pm The Carabao Cup Semi-Finals continue on Betdaq Betting Exchange with Nottingham Forest taking on Manchester United on Wednesday! It hasn’t been a good week for United with two sucker punches after the 90th minute, but this is a good chance to move on and put themselves in a good position to get to the final. For Nottingham Forest, you have to feel they have to go to Old Trafford for the second leg with a result from this game so the pressure is on now they have home advantage.
While United fans would say the loss to Arsenal was unlucky at the weekend, it really wasn’t. It just felt that way because of the timing of the winner, but the game finished with an xG of 3.18 to 0.35 for Arsenal. Rashford’s goal was obviously fantastic and came with a low xG figure, but United couldn’t say that they outplayed Arsenal. They got themselves into a very good position to come away with a point, but on balance Arsenal deserved to win. The draw against Crystal Palace was a different story because United finished that game with an xG of over three times what they conceded, but credit to Crystal Palace – it was an excellent free kick right at the end.
It’s been a disappointing follow on to winning the Manchester Derby for United, especially considering there was a whisper that they were “involved” in the title race after that result. Their title challenge didn’t last long! They have a fantastic chance at winning a trophy here though, and there’s nobody left in the competitions they will fear. Newcastle have been playing great football this season, but United would still be favourites in the betting markets to beat them should they meet in the Final.
United got to the Europa League Final under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but they actually haven’t won a trophy since Jose Mourinho won that competition, and this one in 2016/17. That’s a very long time for a club as big as United, and although most football fans look down on the League Cup it would be a big win for ten Hag in his first season. They face a Nottingham Forest side who arrive into this game in decent form though, and they won’t be a push over.
Forest have definitely eased the pressure on themselves in the relegation battled since re-starting their season after the World Cup. I know Chelsea haven’t been playing their best football this season, but they managed to pick up a 1-1 draw against them on New Year’s Day here. Since then they have beaten Southampton, Leicester and drew with Bournemouth at the weekend. They crashed out of the FA Cup, and need penalties to beat Wolves. In fairness, their level isn’t anywhere close to United, but with home advantage here they’ll be hoping to make the best of it.
These two sides actually re-started their Premier League season against each other at Old Trafford. United ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, and deserved to looking at the xG figures too. Given hen Hag is going to name a very strong side here because of his views on playing for every trophy, it’s hard to see past a United win here. The 1.73 is big enough to back United here in my opinion – they were outplayed by Arsenal at the weekend, but other than they have been in great form since the World Cup. Nottingham Forest have been grinding out results, so I won’t go mad with the stakes, but you can see they haven’t been creating the same volume of chances as United have, plus United looked comfortable against Forest not long ago. I’d be surprised if United didn’t take a lead into the second leg.
The Striker Says:
Three points win Manchester United to beat Nottingham Forest at 1.73 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/notmun
