Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest: Semenyo can go for goal

Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest this Wednesday, March 4 (19:30GMT, TNT Sports) as Pep Guardiola’s men pursue a seventh Premier League title under his leadership. 

This match is a thrill for millennials, who can point out to disinterested Gen Z and Gen Alpha viewers that the team fighting relegation actually has more European Cups than the team fighting for the title. Go on, try it. If you’re lucky they might limply nod then go back to ignoring you. Read on for my Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest predictions.

Team News

Erling Haaland is a doubt with what manager Guardiola called “a little injury” when speaking at a press conference ahead of the 1-0 win at Leeds United. There is no firm word on whether the goal-happy Norway international will play a part against Forest at press time.

City will definitely be without midfielder Mateo Kovacic (knee) and centre back Josko Gvardiol (calf)

Former City custodian Stefan Ortega is a doubt for the Tricky Trees after picking up a calf injury. Matz Sels is set to return in net for the two-time European champions.

Knee injuries will keep striker Chris Wood, towering defender Nicola Savona, back-up goalkeeper John Victor and ex-Wolves centre back Willy Boly on the sidelines.

Football Odds

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Odds

City are 2/5 to score the expected victory against Forest. If you expect to see the Trees at their Tricky best, they are 7/1 to win. The draw is priced at 18/5.

City are 5/4 to score more than 2.5 goals while they are 11/8 to win to nil.

Antoine Semenyo to score anytime @ 21/20

With Haaland touch-and-go, it seems appropriate to turn to the City player who has scored the next-most Premier League goals this season. Semenyo got 10 of his for Bournemouth before a January move, but four in seven appearances have followed.

The wide forward has taken the step-up in his stride, with none of the fabled settling-in period other Pep signings must suffer. Even if Haaland is back to lead the line, I can see the effervescent Ghana international hitting the back of the net.

Man City to win both halves @ 2/1

Forest have conceded 19 goals in the first half of games this season. Meanwhile, City have not lost a Premier League game they have taken the lead in this season. 

Forest will be putting out fires from the off, with City’s multifunctional attack eager to poke holes. Guardiola’s men are always frothing at the mouth come this point in the season. They have won five and drawn one of their last six.

I expect City to pull in front early doors then consolidate with a goal or two in the second half to put this tie beyond doubt.

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