Nottingham Forest vs Man City Prediction - Premier League Fixtures

The race for the Champions League spots continues on Saturday afternoon, and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Nottingham Forest vs Man City Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

Forest’s phenomenal season is under threat having won just one of their last five Premier League matches. Although still occupying 3rd place, the chasing pack have closed the gap and one of those teams are Pep Guardiola’s Man City.

The reigning champions may have given up their title, but their road to redemption continues as they have the opportunity to leapfrog Forest and potentially close the gap on Arsenal in 2nd.

Can Forest spring a surprise once more, or will Man City make it four wins on the bounce against their next opponents?

Nottingham Forest vs Man City Best Bet

England, Premier League, Saturday, March 8th, 12:30 (UK)

The 5th best home form meets the 9th best away record in what should be a cracking lunchtime kick-off at the City Ground on Saturday.

Despite Forest’s recent drop off in form, Nuno Santo’s side remain on track to secure a European spot next season – and with 11 games to go, the Champions League dream is well and truly on.

If they are to achieve a top four finish, this is the kind of match where Forest need to make yet another statement and pull themselves four points clear from their rivals.

However, it won’t be easy. Man City have beaten Forest in four of their last five meetings, drawing the other back in 2023 on Trentside. Earlier in the campaign, Forest showed Pep Guardiola’s side too much respect as they were brushed to one side 3-0.

Last season, Man City were able to right their wrongs from their previous visit to the City Ground, comfortably beating Santo’s side 2-0. And although plenty has changed since then – for both clubs – Man City’s price looks rather generous.

Forest may have progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals on Monday night, but they wouldn’t have been pleased about playing another 30 minutes after Ipswich took them to extra-time. 

Prior to this result, they held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw, where the visitors dominated possession, and if they had a fit forward (or two), we might have witnessed a different outcome.

That draw did end Forest’s losing streak that consisted of a 2-1 defeat against Fulham and 4-3 loss at St. James’ Park vs Newcastle. Although those defeats were on the road, Santo’s side conceded cheap goals – if they give Man City similar opportunities, the visitors can punish them.

Man City head into this fixture having won three of their last five – including wins against Spurs and Newcastle – as well as losing to Real Madrid and Liverpool.

A huge boost for the champions is Erling Haaland, who returned to the starting XI after his brief injury to score and assist in his last 120 minutes. The Norwegian scored at the City Ground last campaign, and will be hoping to replicate that on Saturday.

This looks likely to be a game that is won in the middle of the park. And although Forest have plenty of options, Santo has rotated his central players fairly frequently of late – with fans divided on who should be in the starting XI.

Forest remain unbeaten in their last nine at home since their 3-1 defeat against Newcastle, but if there is a side capable – and motivated – to add to that list, it’s Man City.

• Nottingham Forest vs Man City Best Bet 1: Man City to win
• Best Odds: 1.909
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Nottingham Forest vs Man City Best Bet odds via bet365 as at 12:00, March 5th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Nottingham Forest vs Man City Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

Nottingham Forest head into this fixture with a full squad to choose from, but it will be interesting to see who starts in the central midfield roles. 

Ibrahim Sangare, Danilo and Ryan Yates were used in the win over Ipswich on Monday, but two of those three may be dropped in favour of Nicolas Dominguez and Elliot Anderson.

Man City fans will be very pleased to see Erling Haaland back and scoring after missing a few key matches, and the Norwegian, who loves to score against Forest, will be hoping to add to his five goals already bagged against Forest.

There’s also no fresh injury concerns for Guardiola to deal with, but we may once again see Nico in the heart of the midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic after several impressive performances.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Williams, Yates, Hudson-Odoi, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Wood

Man City possible starting lineup:
Ederson; Gvardiol, Dias, Khusanov, Nunes, Kovacic, Nico, Savinho, Marmoush, Doku, Haaland

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