Manchester United v Nottingham Forest prediction
Team pages: Manchester United · Nottingham Forest · Head-to-head
TACTIX’s free model pick for Manchester United v Nottingham Forest, Premier League on Sat, 26 Dec 2026 15:00 GMT posts shortly before kick-off. Form, head-to-head and league standing for both sides are below.
The match
Manchester United host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday 26 December (kick-off 15:00 UK).
The key numbers
Nottingham Forest have scored five goals, the fewest of the 20 clubs (2026/27 so far).
Manchester United are winless in their last seven matches in all competitions. Nottingham Forest have lost their last three matches in all competitions.
Form and the table
Eight of Manchester United’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (53%). Both teams scored in nine of Manchester United’s last 15 results in all competitions (60%). At home, Manchester United have four wins, one draw and two defeats in their last 7 home matches in all competitions — 1.86 points per game, scoring 2.57 and conceding 1.57. Manchester United have scored 10 goals, the seventh-most (shared) of the 20 clubs (2026/27 so far). Manchester United have conceded 10 goals, the 10th-fewest (shared) of the 20 clubs.
Seven of Nottingham Forest’s last 15 results in all competitions went over 2.5 goals (47%). Both teams scored in seven of Nottingham Forest’s last 15 results in all competitions (47%). Away from home, Nottingham Forest have three wins, one draw and three defeats in their last 7 away matches in all competitions — 1.43 points per game, scoring 2.14 and conceding 2.00. Nottingham Forest have conceded nine goals, the ninth-fewest of the 20 clubs (2026/27 so far).
Manchester United (13th) and Nottingham Forest (19th) are two points apart, 2026/27 so far. TACTIX’s Glicko-2 team ratings have Manchester United the stronger side, 178 rating points above Nottingham Forest (Manchester United 1660, Nottingham Forest 1482, after at least 159 rated matches each).
Head-to-head
The most recent meeting, on 17 May 2026, finished Manchester United 3–2 Nottingham Forest.
Team news
Predicted Manchester United XI (4-2-3-1): S. Lammens, H. Maguire, L. Martínez, D. Dalot, L. Shaw, B. Fernandes, Y. Tielemans, B. Mbeumo, K. Mainoo, M. Rashford, M. Cunha — derived from the last 7 line-ups, most-used eleven. By TACTIX Impact, A. Diallo (4.3 per match over four appearances, one assist) and Youri Tielemans (4.1 per match over 11 appearances, three assists) have been Manchester United’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Manchester United (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), A. Diallo averages 2.9 shots per 90 over 494 minutes, with a shot in eight of the last 10 appearances. Youri Tielemans averages 1.7 key passes per 90 over 1830 minutes, with a key pass in eight of the last 10 appearances.
Predicted Nottingham Forest XI (3-4-2-1): M. Sels, Murillo, Jair, O. Diomande, N. Williams, J. McAtee, X. Schlager, D. Muñoz, O. Aina, I. Sangaré, L. Delap — derived from the last 7 line-ups, most-used eleven, one position borrowed or covered. By TACTIX Impact, Morgan Gibbs-White (4.7 per match over six appearances, one goal and two assists) and Xaver Schlager (3.6 per match over eight appearances) have been Nottingham Forest’s most influential players 2026/27, all competitions. In numbers for Nottingham Forest (2026/27, all competitions, before kick-off), Morgan Gibbs-White averages 1.4 shots per 90 over 591 minutes, with a shot in five of the last 10 appearances. Xaver Schlager averages 0.9 key passes per 90 over 1361 minutes, with a key pass in six of the last 10 appearances.
Written from the matches TACTIX holds for both sides; each figure names the games it is counted over.
The numbers
- Kick-off: · Premier League · Old Trafford
- Head-to-head (last 6): Manchester United 2 · draws 1 · Nottingham Forest 3 · 3.17 goals/game
- Recent form: Manchester United 0W 3D 2L · Nottingham Forest 1W 1D 3L
Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (Premier League): the key numbers are on this page — and TACTIX’s live, market-by-market track record is one click away (as of 30 July 2026). See the live track record →
Key stats
Per game, last 8 completed matches, to 21 October 2026. Over/under figures use standard thresholds, not bookmaker lines.
| Per game | Manchester United for / against | Line | Nottingham Forest for / against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals scored | 1.25 for · 1.63 against n 8 Last 5 | 2.5standard | 0.63 for · 1.38 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Corners won | 5.75 for · 3 against n 8 Last 5 | 9.5standard | 4.5 for · 4.5 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Shots | 15.63 for · 11.63 against n 8 Last 5 | 19.5standard | 16 for · 10.88 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Shots on target | 4.75 for · 4.25 against n 8 Last 5 | 8.5standard | 3.5 for · 3.5 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Fouls committed | 10.13 for · 12.38 against n 8 Last 5 | 21.5standard | 14.25 for · 11.63 against n 8 Last 5 |
| Cards shown | 1.63 for · 2.38 against n 8 Last 5 | 3.5standard | 2.5 for · 1.88 against n 8 Last 5 |
Manchester United
| Player | Mins | Fouls committed 1+2+ | Fouls won 1+2+ | Likely duel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P. Dorgu n 8 | 44 | 3.1 | 2 | — |
| S. Lacey n 8 | 22 | 2.6 | 2 | — |
| Matheus Cunha n 8 | 53.8 | 2.1 | 1.7 | — |
| C. Baleba n 8 | 60.6 | 1.5 | 2.6 | — |
| J. Zirkzee n 8 | 24.1 | 1.4 | 0 | — |
| Player | Mins | Shots 1+2+ | Shots on target 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Diallo n 8 | 50.3 | 3.1 | 1.6 |
| S. Lacey n 8 | 22 | 3.1 | 1 |
| P. Dorgu n 8 | 44 | 2.6 | 0.5 |
| M. Rashford n 8 | 62.8 | 2.3 | 1.1 |
| Matheus Cunha n 8 | 53.8 | 2.3 | 1.3 |
| Player | Mins | Goals 1+2+ | Assists 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Šeško n 8 | 42.4 | 1.1 | 0 |
| J. Zirkzee n 8 | 24.1 | 0.9 | 0 |
| Matheus Cunha n 8 | 53.8 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| A. Diallo n 8 | 50.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 |
| P. Dorgu n 8 | 44 | 0 | 0.5 |
| Player | Mins | Tackles 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|
| M. Mount n 8 | 42.6 | 4.5 |
| P. Dorgu n 8 | 44 | 4.3 |
| C. Baleba n 8 | 60.6 | 3 |
| Andrey Santos n 8 | 52.5 | 3 |
| Leny Yoro n 8 | 65.3 | 2.9 |
| Player | Mins | Saves 2+3+ |
|---|---|---|
| S. Lammens n 8 | 90 | 4.6 |
| K. Darlow n 8 | 90 | 3.5 |
Nottingham Forest
| Player | Mins | Fouls committed 1+2+ | Fouls won 1+2+ | Likely duel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D. Muñoz n 8 | 62 | 2.4 | 0.9 | — |
| X. Schlager n 8 | 87 | 1.8 | 1.4 | — |
| L. Delap n 8 | 68.3 | 1.8 | 1.3 | — |
| Murillo n 8 | 82.3 | 1.5 | 0.3 | — |
| Igor Jesus n 8 | 61.3 | 1.5 | 2 | — |
| Player | Mins | Shots 1+2+ | Shots on target 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| D. Ndoye n 8 | 76.6 | 3.7 | 1.9 |
| L. Delap n 8 | 68.3 | 2.6 | 0.5 |
| C. Wood n 8 | 33.1 | 1.4 | 0.7 |
| N. Williams n 8 | 90 | 1.3 | 0.4 |
| Igor Jesus n 8 | 61.3 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Player | Mins | Goals 1+2+ | Assists 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| D. Ndoye n 8 | 76.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| C. Hudson-Odoi n 8 | 35.8 | 0 | 0.6 |
| O. Hutchinson n 8 | 44.3 | 0 | 0.5 |
| L. Delap n 8 | 68.3 | 0.2 | 0 |
| Igor Jesus n 8 | 61.3 | 0.2 | 0 |
| Player | Mins | Tackles 1+2+ |
|---|---|---|
| N. Domínguez n 8 | 55 | 3.3 |
| I. Sangaré n 8 | 50.9 | 3.3 |
| L. Netz n 8 | 44.1 | 3.3 |
| X. Schlager n 8 | 87 | 3.1 |
| O. Aina n 8 | 77.3 | 2.6 |
| Player | Mins | Saves 2+3+ |
|---|---|---|
| M. Sels n 8 | 90 | 2.3 |
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Form, head-to-head & standings
The numbers behind Manchester United v Nottingham Forest — recent results, past meetings and where each side sits. (TACTIX’s model forecast is in the projections below.)
- 2026-05-17 Manchester United 3–2 Nottingham Forest
- 2025-11-01 Nottingham Forest 2–2 Manchester United
- 2025-04-01 Nottingham Forest 1–0 Manchester United
- 2024-12-07 Manchester United 2–3 Nottingham Forest
- 2024-02-28 Nottingham Forest 0–1 Manchester United
- 2023-12-30 Nottingham Forest 2–1 Manchester United
Frequently asked questions
- What is the head-to-head record between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest?
- In their last 6 meetings, Manchester United won 2, Nottingham Forest won 3 and there was 1 draw, averaging 3.17 goals per game.
- What is the recent form of Manchester United and Nottingham Forest?
- Recent form — Manchester United 0W 3D 2L; Nottingham Forest 1W 1D 3L.
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This page is generated from TACTIX’s match data by our software and checked automatically; data as of . How it works → · Report an error
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