Manchester City head to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest on Saturday, in what’s become a very unlikely battle for 4th place in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest could be playing Champions League football next season. And Man City may or may not be joining them after what’s been a rather disastrous season for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Last time out, Man City beat Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the FA Cup to book themselves a quarter-final tie against Bournemouth at the end of March, with the FA Cup pretty much all that City can play for now.
They sit a whole 20 points behind league leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table. Forest are in 3rd and just a point ahead of City, with only six points separating Forest and Aston Villa down in 10th.
Needless to say, a win for either Forest or City on Saturday would be huge in the race for Champions League football next season.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Paul Merson’s Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City prediction
Writing for Sportskeeda ahead of the next round of Premier League fixtures, pundit Paul Merson has given his prediction for the clash between Forest and Man City.
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He says: “I actually thought Nottingham Forest were fortunate to get a draw against Arsenal last time out. Considering how Arsenal dominated that game, if the Gunners had their strongest team, they would have easily beaten Forest in my opinion.
“I always say that things can change quickly in this league. If Forest lose this game and Chelsea win theirs this weekend, the Blues will overtake them in the points table. Forest are also only five points ahead of Bournemouth, who sit outside the European spots in seventh-place. Before you know it, Forest could slip further down the table if a few results go against them!
“Manchester City will definitely have a go at Forest. This will suit Forest because of the way they play. Nuno Espirito Santo does not want his opponents to sit behind the ball, he wants to attack teams on the counter. If Forest avoid a loss and beat Ipswich in the next game, they will be in a good position to finish in the top four with 10 games left.
“But I think City hold the upper hand here and I expect them to get the win.”
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Manchester City’s record vs Nottingham Forest
Man City are unbeaten in five games against Forest since their promotion to the Premier League in 2022, winning four and drawing one, with City beating Forest 3-0 earlier this season.
2022 was the first time the two teams had played since 2009 and the first time they’d played a league fixture against each other since 2002, with City boasting a pretty strong record against the Reds.
They’ve lost just one of their last 10 games against Forest and have won seven, with City having not lost a league game against Forest since 1999. Forest haven’t beaten City on home soil since 1995.
A win for Manchester City on Saturday would be a huge confidence booster for Guardiola’s misfiring side and it could even pull them to just four points behind Arsenal in 2nd, should the Gunners lose at Manchester United on Sunday.