Manchester City face Nottingham Forest at the Etihad on Wednesday, and we have all the team news and predicted lineups for the match, as well as a preview and a prediction.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Preview
Manchester City are desperate to end a seven-game winless run that has rocked their Premier League title defence.
A 2-0 loss to Liverpool last weekend left Pep Guardiola’s side 11 points adrift of the leaders and out of the top four, increasing the pressure on the reigning champions.
City’s slump, which includes four consecutive league defeats for the first time since 2008, is unprecedented under Guardiola.
Should Nottingham Forest punish the Citizens’ vulnerabilities at the back and win the game, it will be the first time since 2021 that City suffer back-to-back home league losses.
Forest travel to Manchester with momentum after edging past Ipswich 1-0 on Saturday.
Chris Wood’s decisive penalty equalled a club record for Premier League goals, and with nine strikes this season, he is just three behind Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race.
Sitting sixth in the table, Forest boast an impressive away record, claiming 11 points from six road trips.
Despite Forest’s recent form, City’s historical dominance in this fixture and the Tricky Trees’ 15-year wait for a victory against them suggest Guardiola’s men remain favorites. But with Forest targeting European spots, another upset could be on the cards.
Manchester City Team News
City welcomed Jeremy Doku back from a thigh injury during Sunday’s loss to Liverpool, providing a silver lining for Guardiola. Doku’s lively cameo added spark to an otherwise lacklustre attacking display, and he could be in line for a start against Forest.
However, Guardiola’s selection headaches persist, with Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Mateo Kovacic, and John Stones all sidelined.
The City manager hinted post-Anfield that Jack Grealish might be deployed in a central role to address the lack of creativity after the England international and Kevin De Bruyne were introduced late in Sunday’s game. Both players could see extended minutes as Guardiola searches for solutions to his team’s poor form.
In goal, Ederson is expected to return to the starting lineup after being surprisingly replaced by Stefan Ortega for the Liverpool clash.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has minimal injury concerns heading into the Etihad clash, with only Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare remaining unavailable. Both Morgan Gibbs-White and Anthony Elanga overcame recent knocks to feature in the win over Ipswich.
In defence, Neco Williams impressed during a rare start against Ipswich, but regular left-back Alex Moreno is pushing for a recall and could reclaim his place in the lineup.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineups
Manchester City Predicted Lineup:
Ederson; Lewis Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; De Bruyne, Gundogan, Silva; Savinho, Haaland, Doku
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Ward-Prowse; Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Wood
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Prediction
Forest will be by no means a comfortable bounce-back solution for Guardiola’s side, but City simply have to put an end to this winless run.
Forest have the players to cause City issues in transition, and it should run close, but we’re backing City to improve in attack and get back to winning ways at the Etihad.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Nottingham Forest
