Nottingham Forest vs Man City Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 English FA Cup | Semi-Final
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Nottingham Forest have enjoyed a magnificent campaign but they are heading into the month that matters most now as they take on Manchester City in an FA Cup semi-final this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 27th April, 2025: UK – 4:30pm / US ET – 11:30am / US PT – 8:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / US – ESPN+
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / US – ESPN+
Nottingham Forest Preview: Flourishing Forest
Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest come into this one on the back of a much-needed 2-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Easter Monday thanks to early goals from Chris Wood and Elliot Anderson before a late Richarlison consolation.
The reason as to why that was much-needed is because Forest are involved in a battle of five teams to get into three spots for UEFA Champions League. Forest have been in the top three for much of the campaign and they do just about remain in the top five before this weekend.
Man City Preview: Saving their season
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have endured a very difficult season throughout but they could just about rescue it, albeit still below their expectations, by winning the FA Cup and also earning themselves a top five spot and UEFA Champions League qualification.
They earned themselves a pivotal victory in midweek as they defeated fellow top five contenders Aston Villa by two goals to one at the Etihad Stadium with Portugal international Matheus Nunes scoring a second-half stoppage-time winner for the Cityzens.
Nottingham Forest Team News: A few doubts
Nuno Espirito Santo has no confirmed absentees ahead of the trip down to Wembley Stadium this weekend but they are dealing with a few key doubts as Ola Aina races back to full fitness. As well as Aina, Forest could also be without wingers Eric da Silva Moreira and Jota Silva, who are also doubtful.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Alex Moreno; Dominguez, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Anderson; Wood
Unavailable:
Questionable: Aina (Injured), Da Silva Moreira (Injured), Silva (Injured)
Man City Team News: Doku could come in
Jeremy Doku’s introduction in midweek was crucial for City as he provided the assist for that aforementioned Nunes strike as a result of an excellent burst down the left-hand side. It would be no surprise to see him come into the eleven with Kevin De Bruyne enjoying a good run of form in what is now his City swansong.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Stefan Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Kovacic, Gundogan; Silva, De Bruyne; Doku; Marmoush
Unavailable: Ederson (Injured), Ake (Injured), Stones (Injured), Rodri (Fitness), Haaland (Injured)
Questionable:
Nottingham Forest vs Man City Prediction
Even with their improvement, Manchester City have still appeared a very different side to the one that has dominated English football in the last few years and they remain susceptible, especially on the counter-attack. The counter-attack is something that Forest have specialised in this season as they enjoy a very impressive campaign so Forest will be confident of hurting City in transition, whilst City still have that aura and are the big-game team.
Nottingham Forest vs Man City Tip: Both teams to score
