Manchester City will be looking to leapfrog Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table when they take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground this Saturday afternoon.
Can the hosts overcome giant odds to prevail, or will Man City extend their winning streak to eight games? Read our Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City prediction and preview to find out, but don't forget to also check out some of our other Premier League predictions.
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Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City prediction: Visitors chase top spot
Key Stats
- Only Wolverhampton have failed to score in more Premier League matches than Forest this season.
- Forest have won their last four games played between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- Man City have scored 21 first-half goals this season – a Premier League record this term.
- Man City’s Premier League games have averaged 3.35 goals this season.
Correct score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Manchester City
Man City have won their last three Premier League games by the exact 3-0 scoreline – a run which has allowed them to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just two points.
The Citizens are searching for their eighth successive win across all competitions, while Nottingham Forest are simply looking to drag themselves away from the bottom three. Bearing everything in mind, Pep Guardiola's men should live up to their favourites tag on Saturday and bag all three points.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Man City backed to win
- HOME: 19/5 (4.75) – 21.00%
- DRAW: 333/100 (3.75) – 26.70%
- AWAY: 3/5 (2.50) – 57.00%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change It's clear from these Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City odds that the bookies expect a win for the visiting team. Nevertheless, if you liked our predictions for this game, remember to also check our betting tips for today.
Most recent H2Hs: Forest eye historic win
Over recent years, Manchester City have somewhat dominated this fixture, winning five of their last seven matches. However, it is Nottingham Forest who won the previous Premier League meeting, picking up a 1-0 success last March. Sean Dyche and his men will now be looking to pick up successive league victories over Man City for the first time in 30 years.
England FA Cup 27/04/25
Nottm Forest
Man City
England Premier League 08/03/25
Nottm Forest
Man City
England Premier League 04/12/24
Man City
Nottm Forest
England Premier League 28/04/24
Nottm Forest
Man City
England Premier League 23/09/23
Man City
Nottm Forest
Nottingham Forest preview: Tricky Trees battling for survival
Nottingham Forest have won six of their last nine matches across all competitions, though that does not mean the Tricky Trees are out of danger. In fact, Dyche and his men are just one spot above the bottom three, sitting five points clear of the drop zone.
Nottingham Forest welcomed Nicolas Dominguez, Matz Sels and Taiwo Awoniyi back into the squad last time out. Chris Wood, who continues to train individually, is not ready to make his comeback. The same goes for Ola Aina, Ryan Yates and Dan Ndoye, while Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly are both on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted lineup: John Victor (GK), Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Savona, Douglas Luiz, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Hutchinson & Igor Jesus
Last five matches
- Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
- FC Utrecht 1-2 Nottingham Forest (UEFA Europa League)
- Everton 3-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
Manchester City preview: Title contenders on the charge
With seven straight wins across all competitions under their belts, it feels like Manchester City are beginning to rediscover some of their very best form. On top of that, Guardiola's decision to name the same starting line-up for the last two league outings proves he is satisfied with the current system.
The Citizens will be missing Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush on Saturday, with both men representing their respective national sides at the Africa Cup of Nations. Jeremy Doku is a big doubt for Saturday, while John Stones and Oscar Bobb are expected to join him on the sidelines. Rodri and Mateo Kovacic are also out of action.
Predicted lineup: Donnarumma (GK), O’Reilly, Gvardiol, Dias, Nunes, Reijnders, Nico, Silva, Foden, Cherki & Haaland
Last five matches
- Manchester City 3-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
- Manchester City 2-0 Brentford (EFL Cup)
- Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City (Premier League)
- Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City (UEFA Champions League)
- Manchester City 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Player to watch: Erling Haaland
The main man to watch on Saturday is Man City striker Erling Haaland. The Norway international has already scored 19 goals in the Premier League this season, including four in his last two league outings.
Haaland loves to play against Nottingham Forest, scoring five goals in six head-to-head encounters with the Tricky Trees. Interestingly, four of those goals arrived before half-time.