Nottingham Forest will be looking to upset the odds on Wednesday night when they host Manchester United in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
This midweek game sees Forest play their first domestic cup semi-final since 1992, with Steve Cooper's side beating Wolves on penalties in the quarter-finals to reach this stage of the Carabao Cup. It won't be an easy feat to get to the final though, with two tough games against Man United ahead.
The two sides met less than a month ago in the Premier League, with Forest falling to a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford. The winner of the semi-final clash will advance to the final at Wembley, where either Newcastle or Southampton await.
READ MORE: Forest transfer state of play as Reds enter final week of January window
READ MORE: Forest face Chelsea transfer battle for £60m-rated winger
So, could Forest find victory at home in the first leg? We simulated the game to find out.
We simulated Nottingham Forest vs Man United to get a score prediction
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo are not available in FIFA 23, so are not included in the predicted XI.
We predict that the Reds could line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Hennessey; Aurier, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Yates, Freuler, Mangala; Lingard; Johnson, Gibbs-White.
We predict that United could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Antony, Weghorst, Rashford.
Forest started on top against United, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson and Renan Lodi all coming close, but some good saves from Tom Heaton managed to keep the score level. United failed to trouble the Forest goal once in the opening 40 minutes, but with their first clear chance of the game, they took the lead through Wout Weghorst.
After winning the ball back deep in their own half, United charged forward, with Fred leading the attack. The Brazilian spotted the run of Weghorst and clipped a pass into the path of the striker, and on the half-volley, the Dutchman fired past the outrushing Wayne Hennessey to make it 1-0 to United.
The goal was a blow to Forest, and it was visible in their second-half performance, with United now having all the chances and all the possession. Marcus Rashford struck either post in the space of six minutes after the restart, but United eventually doubled their lead with just under 20 minutes remaining.
Bruno Fernandes was picked out on the overlap by Antony down the right, and after cutting back inside near the byline, the midfielder sent a rabona cross towards Alejandro Garnacho at the far post. Unmarked, the winger volleyed the ball into the far corner with power, leaving Hennessey stuck to the spot.
The Welsh 'keeper made some decisive saves to deny Fernandes, Harry Maguire and Fred in the latter stages of the game, limiting the visitors to two goals ahead of the second leg.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that despite impressing in the opening stages, Forest could fall off the pace in the second half, with Steve Cooper's side losing 2-0 in the simulation. Wayne Hennessey kept the score down to 2-0 with some big saves in the second half, making sure Forest remained in the tie going into the second leg.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
READ NEXT:
