Manchester City will kick off this weekend’s Premier League action with their Saturday lunchtime kick-off at Nottingham Forest.
The Citizens will have had a week’s rest and go into the game on the back of two wins in a row in all competitions.
Manchester City beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1 last time out to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, their best chance of silverware this season.
Prior to that, Pep Guardiola’s charges ran out 1-0 winners over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
Chris Sutton has now predicted how he feels City will fare against high-flying Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
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Chris Sutton backs Manchester City to run out 2-1 winners at Nottingham Forest
Sutton acknowledged that it’s a hard game to call, considering both teams are pushing for a top-four finish.
With Forest punching above their weight at present, Sutton’s write-up was mostly focused on Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
However, he backed City to return to Manchester with all three points, tipping the visitors to claim a 2-1 win in Nottingham.
“This is a big game in the race for the Champions League places, and a tough one to call,” Sutton wrote on BBC Sport.
“Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola rested a few players for last weekend’s FA Cup win over Plymouth and Erling Haaland is fit again.
“Nottingham Forest are at home but their fans don’t mind them sitting in and hitting teams on the break, which is what they will do here.
“I had a look at Forest’s remaining 11 league games and, in the reverse fixtures this season, they have won nine, drawn one and lost one.
“That shows that if they keep their squad fit and available then they have got a great chance of a top-five finish, which will probably get them in the Champions League.
“Their one defeat in that sequence above actually came when they were well beaten by Manchester City at the start of December.
“It will be much closer this time but, although I hate to go against my boyhood club, I still fancy City to nick the points.
“I know for a fact that the readers will go for a draw here, but I am picking a winner.”
Manchester City team news v Nottingham Forest
Nathan Ake recently confirmed that he has undergone successful surgery on a fractured foot, which will see him out for the foreseeable future.
Ake has joined Manuel Akanji and John Stones in the treatment room, while Rodri is unlikely to be rushed back after stepping up his return from knee surgery.
Oscar Bobb returned to training in January but has still not made a matchday squad after suffering a setback.
Erling Haaland should be fit to start against the Premier League’s third-placed side after coming off the bench last time out.
Meanwhile, Forest main injury issue is back-up goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, who has a hamstring problem.