Quarter-finalists in the FA Cup, as they were in the 2021/22 campaign, but this time instead of fighting for promotion from the Championship, they are fighting for a Champions League place.
Nottingham Forest took their fifth round FA Cup tie against Ipswich Town right to the wire, as they withstood extra-time and penalties to advance to the last eight on Monday.
The FA Cup offers a spot in the Europa League for the winners, but their Premier League form remains the objective for The Garibaldis, who may well have put their Champions League hopes in jeopardy. They have not picked up maximum points in the league since their 7-0 win over Brighton on 1st February.
Manchester City have the opportunity to leapfrog the hosts on Saturday, while Chelsea go into their match on Sunday at Stamford Bridge as favourites against Leicester. Forest could see themselves slipping if they are not careful, and every point becomes increasingly valuable with eleven games to go.
The Citizens have not lost to Forest in their last five encounters, but Nuno Espírito Santo's outfit are unbeaten at home since November, only losing at the City Ground twice this term.
The last time the two sides met in December, Pep Guardiola's men won 3-0 to end a run of seven games without a win for City. Chris Wood missed a big 1-on-1 chance at 1-0, and also Morgan Gibbs-White was really well denied by Stefan Ortega as Nico Williams won the ball high.
Monday night's win over Ipswich Town was essential for lifting the morale of the team and augmenting the intimidating and passionate atmosphere of the City Ground for the upcoming clash against the champions.
Familiarity of the Front Four
Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga, and Morgan Gibbs-White have started every game together in 2025 in the Premier League. Callum Hudson-Odoi picked up a groin injury that sidelined him for a few games following the win over Southampton, but he has been a significant part of that counter-attacking foursome too.
The former Chelsea winger, and former Manchester United winger, Anthony Elanga, have thrived in the Midlands. Stepping out of the shadows of the expectations placed on them at the so-called bigger clubs, the two have not only embraced their role in the team individually, but also developed an intuition of how to work with one another.
They are often seen switching sides in matches, which Nuno has affirmed he does not directly intervene and instruct them to do during times in a game.
With the opposition having a better understanding of Forest's attacking set up in the second round of fixtures, switching flanks or even changing personnel or formation could throw a curveball to the opponent's expectations.
The goalscoring capabilities of Chris Wood has shone for a side who does not generate countless shots within the majority of their games, and this is something Forest have got to continue flourishing with on Saturday.
The intent to drive at opponents from the three players behind him, with Chris Wood lurking on the periphery, has caused serious concerns for teams this season. It seems very difficult to deal with no matter what the strategy to counteract it is.
Chris Wood has a goal conversion rate higher than Erling Haaland which emphasises the clinical edge he even has over one of the world's best marksmans.
Although the Norwegian has two more goals this term, Chris Wood's 18 goals for Forest have spearheaded them to third place. Without his goals, they would be nowhere near the points they have achieved.
They all abide by the defensive system too, yet the service to Chris Wood and transition competency the four of them possess needs to be utilised to full effect, considering Man City's growing defensive frailties and absences of John Stones, Nathan Ake, and Manuel Akanji.
Countering Possession
Manchester City have averaged the most possession of any team in the Premier League this season, which is what one would expect from players under Pep Guardiola.
Contrastingly, Nottingham Forest have averaged the least with just under 40% average possession. The style each of the teams have adopted is distinct from one another in regards to with and without the ball.
Frequent, sustained pressure on the Manchester City backline has been few and far between and the protection in front of the back four has not necessarily been the problem. The away side have the least amount of successful tackles, clearances, and interceptions of any team in their per-match average.
It is when those in defence are called into action and in crucial moments in the game where City falter and there are pieces of the puzzle Guardiola still can not find a solution to.
Nottingham Forest have made sure to be a side that is hard to break down with all the players on board with that belief, and they have executed it so well throughout the season.
Yet, there have been games like against Newcastle United and Brighton where they have had more possession and they have created many more chances than their normal tally.
In the games where they do not align themselves more with that successful defensive set up, they have attacking power to finish games on the right side of the scoreline. This should be highlighted just as much as their defensive efforts.
Keeping alert and dedicated to the task of thwarting City's quality and possession in attack is important, but leaning into that counter attacking strength they have and exposing City's difficulties in defence should be a priority.
Nuno Spoilt for Choice
Nuno has the rare opportunity to examine almost all the players in his squad and select his starting lineup accordingly, as Forest have largely maintained a squad that has been fit and ready most weeks.
Heading into the final stretch of the league, where everything is ultimately decided and all the work put in throughout the season could come crashing down, having almost every player consistently physically fit is surely a confidence boost for Nuno. Particularly, when the midfield is considered.
Danilo has returned from a long-term injury and Nicolás Domínguez has been favoured in many more games. There has been competition for the place beside the multifaceted revelation of Elliot Anderson in the middle of the park.
Ryan Yates, who scored Forest's only goal in normal time in their recent win in the FA Cup, earned several 90-minute stints under his belt before the turn of the year.
Yet, Domínguez and Danilo have recently achieved a place in Nuno's starting eleven, and there is evidently competition as well as the acknowledgement of which player is best dependent on the context of each game.
Yates' aggression when he came on against Arsenal made a difference to the intensity the home side had without the ball. But, the 27-year-old yields attacking contributions too with releasing the ball once it is turned over, and getting into the box.
The midfield duo Nuno chooses will be important to produce a similar performance that his side managed over Arsenal.
Man City have had a week off before this fixture and ten days off since their last Premier League contest. The pressure on them has been alleviated, they are confident contenders for the top four, and their focus is fixated on the league more than it ever has been during their recent era of success.
The Portuguese manager can pick and choose who he selects to start and how he wants to change during the game. It is more than likely that the attacking four will remain the same to good effect, but that midfield selection is now one to look out for, and the reason as to why Nuno changes it could be something to remain curious about.