Nottingham Forest are in need of a positive result this week to avoid potentially dropping into the bottom three of the Premier League.
It will not be easy as they face a challenging trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
Since promotion to the top flight, Forest do not have a good record away to the team from the north-west. Despite a successful season for **Nuno Espirito Santo's**Forest last year, it still ended in a 3-0 defeat in December 2024.
City come into the game in great form, having won their last four league matches and they have kept the pressure on Arsenal in the title race.
Forest, meanwhile, have lost to Liverpool and Brighton in their last two league games and their first two under Vitor Pereira.
This will be a challenge but they are in need of points on the board.
A free-hit?
Sometimes it could be viewed as a 'free-hit' when a side near the bottom goes to a team at the top as the expectation will be that City get the win.
However, given Forest's current situation, this is a game where they need to be competitive and may feel as though they have to go for it.
They need points and it does not matter where they come from.
At times this season, City have not looked as good as they have previously. They have, however, turned a corner since January with their signings and recent results. That said, they started 2026 with three draws and two of these were at home.
At the weekend, Guardiola's side secured a narrow 1-0 win away at Leeds United.
Room for optimism?
City won 2-1 against Forest when the sides met at the City Ground in December.
They were managed by Sean Dyche at the time and put in a good performance against the former Premier League champions.
They drew 0-0 with Arsenal at home in January and previously drew 2-2 with Manchester United. They only lost to a stoppage time goal to Liverpool two weeks ago. Furthermore, they did win 3-0 away at Anfield in November.
Those results have come at home and that will be a factor that will not be at play this week as Forest travel up the country.
At home, they have challenged some of the top sides in the division and have raised their game. Whilst they have not always got the three points in those games, they have played well.
Apart from the win at Anfield, they have not always been able to replicate those performances away from home.
They may take positives from some of those showings though.
The recent 3-0 away win at Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League could also provide optimism and a potential belief that they could come away with something if they play to their highest level.
The first goal in this fixture could be key as if City score they have a lead to build on and it could prove to be a long night for Pereira's side.
Whereas if Forest grab a goal, they may be able to defend a lead. Although, trying to sit back against City could also be a dangerous tactic.
How do Forest approach the game?
Forest have struggled for goals this year and they will not face many tougher tests than scoring against City.
Pereira may set up his side to attack the home side and make the game interesting because they need the points.
Alternatively, they may wish to keep the scores level for as long as possible and then hit the home side on the break where possible. If they concede an early goal then it becomes a challenge but it is an approach that could serve them well.
For example, when Newcastle United went away to City and were chasing a two goal deficit in the **EFL Cup,**they decided to set up to attack the match from the start. Ultimately, they were punished and found themselves 3-0 down at half time.
Forest could start with three centre backs and utilise wing backs to get forward, as that is how they finished the match in their last game with Brighton.
That could mean that when they are in possession it is a back three and a back five when they are defending.
It will be a game where City are expected to win, that will apply an element of pressure on them but Forest know that they cannot afford to suffer a heavy defeat. If they are on the wrong end of a heavy loss then it could dent any confidence they have and be a psychological blow for the side.
As it is, they know that if West Ham win and they do not then the Hammers will go above them and Tottenham Hotspur could also pick up points later in the week.
There is a way to go but this could be another week of twists and turns in the relegation battle and where some of the sides could potentially end up swapping places.