- The Reds are 7th in Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 after 9 points from 4 games.
- Manchester United U21 are 4th in Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 with 9 points from 3.
- Manchester United U21 have won their last 5 games in a row.
Development comes first for The Reds
Warren Joyce's Nottingham Forest U21 are having a mixed season after four rounds of Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 matches. Forest have been competitive in every game, but have yet to show the same level of bite as Manchester United U21 this season.
Forest's 3-1 win over West Bromwich U21 in Premier League 2 and 1-1 EFL Trophy draw with Burton Albion (Forest won on penalties) shows that they are still more than capable of competing against their fellow Premier League 2 sides, but their 5-1 EFL Trophy defeat to Notts County just 24 hours ago indicates they are not quite at the level of the best sides in the country.
The fact that Forest play a development first system based around clean, controlled possession and patient build-up play, is likely to work against them in this match as well, as they're likely to get stuck behind the ball.
United to edge out Forest in a thrilling affair
Travis Binnion's Manchester United U21 side have been in scintillating form, winning each of their last five competitive games in a row and exuding serious confidence in every fixture.
United's 4-2-3-1 formation is slightly more direct and aggressive than Forest's, with more pace in the final third and a pressing scheme that has been in sync and has been reeling teams in recently.
The Red Devils 4-1 win over Leicester U21 and 3-2 win over Brentford U21 in Premier League 2 - Division 1 2026/2027 show that United are a team that keeps on scoring goals and finish off teams, which makes them look the more likely winners at 41/50.
Chance for goals in Loughborough University Stadium
Forest are a clinical side and have not struggled for goals, scoring 7 at 1.75 per game in PL2, and should be able to give the goalie a challenge in this game.
A high-scoring United win is the top pick, and the recent H2H record suggests this will be a scrap, so over 2.5 goals at 21/50 looks great value, while both teams to score at 9/20 adds to the value of the selection.
