Manchester City will hope to get back to winning ways when they face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night in the Premier League.
The champions haven’t won any of their last six games and have lost their last four in the Premier League - both of which are the worst runs of Pep Guardiola’s tenure. The Catalan has spoken about the need to find just one win in the club’s current run of form and is certainly not focusing on the bigger picture at this stage of the season.
“To think of the big targets would be a big mistake,” he said ahead of the game. “We have to beat a team that is close to us to be close to us to take advantage of them, to be close to the top four. That is the target and in November we will see what happens. We will try to win games.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola also insisted that if City’s full squad had been available all season then the team would have played at a similar level to last season. Incredibly, the Blues are currently fifth in the table, just a place behind Forest.
In Tuesday’s press conference the manager confirmed that John Stones remains absent, while Kevin De Bruyne’s fitness is improving. Elsewhere, Mateo Kovacic, Rodri and Oscar Bobb are still injured, but Guardiola does have a few options should he wish to rotate.
With that in mind, here’s how we think the team will line-up against Forest, with three changes from the XI that lined up at Liverpool…
Guardiola hinted that the German stopper would remain between the sticks for the Forest game.
1. GK: Stefan Ortega
Guardiola hinted that the German stopper would remain between the sticks for the Forest game.
With Kyle Walker's dire form, it's likely that Lewis will will start at right-back.
2. RB: Rico Lewis
With Kyle Walker's dire form, it's likely that Lewis will will start at right-back.
Made headlines after the Liverpool game with his frosty post-match interview. The defender's leadership qualities could prove vital during City's current downturn in form.
3. CB: Ruben Dias
Made headlines after the Liverpool game with his frosty post-match interview. The defender's leadership qualities could prove vital during City's current downturn in form.
Rarely dropped by Guardiola, although Akanji's passing was well off against Liverpool.
4. CB: Manuel Akanji
Rarely dropped by Guardiola, although Akanji's passing was well off against Liverpool.