Nottingham Forest vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have an intriguing encounter taking place at the City Ground as Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest take on Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at Saturday lunchtime.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – USA Network
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Universo
Nottingham Forest preview: Improved but frustrated
Sean Dyche became Nottingham Forest’s third manager of the campaign in mid-October, following on from Ange Postecoglou and Nuno Espirito Santo, and they have been much-improved since his arrival.
However, Forest remain involved in the relegation battle as a result of a frustrating 1-0 loss at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Monday night due to a Raul Jimenez penalty scored in first-half stoppage-time.
Man City preview: Back in the race
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City can throw in the odd poor performance and result, highlighting they aren’t the relentless machine that they once were, but they have found some fluency to put them right back in the Premier League title race.
The visitors come into this one on the back of easing past West Ham United by three goals to nil at the Etihad Stadium last weekend to ensure it is now six successive victories across all competitions for the Cityzens.
Nottingham Forest team news: Aina pushing for fitness
Sean Syche has confirmed that Ola Aina came through a recent 'B' team match 'ok' but he remains short of match fitness and so will not be involved against City this weekend.
They have a few other expected injury absentees, such as midfielder Ryan Yates and striker Chris Wood, while former Bologna attacker Dan Ndoye is a confirmed injury issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Unavailable: Boly (International duty), Aina (Fitness), Sangare (International duty), Yates, (Injured), Ndoye (Injured), Wood (Injured)
Questionable:
Man City team news: Rodri could be involved
Pep Guardiola has confirmed that 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri is 'much, much better' and a decision on his availability for the clash against Forest will be made on Boxing Day.
However, the visitors do remain without England international centre-back John Stones, who is injured alongside Belgium international winger Jeremy Doku.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gonzalez, Reijnders; Silva, Foden, Cherki; Haaland
Unavailable: Stones (Injured), Ait-Nouri (International duty), Kovacic (Injured), Marmoush (International duty), Doku (Injured), Bobb (Injured)
Questionable: Rodri (Fitness)
Nottingham Forest vs Man City prediction
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest defeated City at the City Ground in March but Nuno has a good record against Guardiola, despite his West Ham side succumbing last week. Sean Dyche does not. Forest will know that their season will not be defined by games against City and, despite what will likely be quite a hostile atmosphere over the festive period, the visitors should still ease themselves to victory in Nottingham.
Nottingham Forest vs Man City tip: Man City to win
