City make the trip to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday
Comments
Sport
Chris Sutton and Paul Merson
Chris Sutton and Paul Merson(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City will make the trip across to the East Midlands on Saturday lunchtime as they take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
City's visit to the City Ground is a huge game at the top of the Premier League, with both sides harbouring ambitions of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Pep Guardiola's side can move above Forest and in to third place of the Premier League table with a win but defeat would leave them four points adrift of Nuno Espirito Santo's side.
And ahead of the game, some prominent Premier League pundits have had their say over how they believe City will fare.
Chris Sutton
The former Celtic and Blackburn forward told BBC Sport: "This is a big game in the race for the Champions League places, and a tough one to call.
"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.
"It wasn't so long ago people were lauding Forest, but they have not won in the Premier League since beating Brighton 7-0 on 1 February.
"I don't think there is too much wrong with Nuno Espirito Santo's team though. They are still in the FA Cup and, in the league, they have lost narrowly away to Fulham and Newcastle and then they drew with Arsenal, which seemed a decent result to me.
"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."
Sutton's prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City
Paul Merson
The Sky Sports pundit told SportsKeeda: "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."
Merson's prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City
Mark Lawrenson
The former BBC Sport pundit told Paddy Power: "I’m going to go for a Manchester City away win. I think they’re getting it together on a much more regular basis now. I think it will be a close one, though."
Lawrenson's prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Man City