Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Prediction: Hosts can frustrate the Citizens

Nottingham Forest's momentum in the Premier League has been dented in recent weeks. They suffered back-to-back defeats at Fulham and Newcastle United and this was then followed by a goalless draw with Arsenal at the City Ground. This is where they play on Saturday (12:30, TNT Sports 1) as they host Manchester City.

The visitors were 1-0 victors at Tottenham Hotspur in their last league appearance but they are still finding consistency an issue. They defeated Forest 3-0 in the reverse fixture at the Etihad back in December, but they will face a tougher test in the East Midlands. Read on for my Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City predictions, alongside the latest team news and match odds.

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Odds

Forest have won two of their previous four league games at the City Ground and seven of their 13 overall. They are 3/1, which has an implied probability of 25%, to come away with the victory on Saturday.

Two of the past four Premier League games in this stadium have ended in a stalemate, which is marketed at 11/4 (26.7%) on this occasion.

Man City have won three of their past five away trips in the top flight, including last time out against Tottenham. They are 9/10 to collect the three points in Nottinghamshire.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in two of Forest's last three home fixtures in the league. There have also been at least three goals scored in three of City's previous four away matches in the Premier League, not to mention this selection was a winner when the two teams met at the Etihad back in December.

This market is on offer at 8/13 for Saturday.

Football Odds

Team News

Back-up goalkeeper Carlos Miguel is Forest's only injury concern and he is out with a hamstring. This leaves number one Matz Sels uncontested and he will continue between the sticks for the hosts.

Nuno Espirito Santo is set to reunite his trusted back four of Neco Williams, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic and Ola Aina to face City. The Tricky Trees boss has a call to make in the middle of the park. Elliot Anderson is expected to be recalled and Nuno must figure out who would be best-suited to playing alongside him against the defending champions.

Nicolas Dominguez, Ryan Yates and Danilo will all be pushing to get the nod on Saturday. Morgan Gibbs-White should be restored to the attacking midfield role to feature with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga in support of Chris Wood up front.

Man City have several fitness concerns coming into this game. Nathan Ake has suffered another setback in what has been an injury-plagued season for the Dutchman. He has received surgery on a fractured foot and will be out for some time.

He joins Rodri (ACL), John Stones (thigh), Oscar Bobb (fitness) and Manuel Akanji (abductor) on the sidelines.

Pep Guardiola made 11 changes in his team's FA Cup clash with Plymouth Argyle, so alterations are expected in Nottingham. The likes of Ederson, Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruben Dias, Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez, Savinho, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Omar Marmoush will all be itching for a recall to the lineup.

Nottingham Forest or draw and both teams to score @ 13/8

When City beat Forest in December, it was at a time when they needed a victory. They had suffered four-straight defeats in the Premier League ahead of that match, so Guardiola's men had to deliver.

The manner of Forest's defeat was a little surprising, but they will look to avenge that loss on Saturday. Perhaps the Tricky Trees were overwhelmed at home of the reigning champions, and that is likely what will be the case for City when they travel to NG2.

The City Ground has mostly been a fortress this campaign and Forest have only been beaten twice here in the top flight. The latest came in November against Newcastle United but they have since gone seven unbeaten here, including five wins.

Man City have been up and down throughout the season so we never know what to expect from them. Forest may have had a wobble of their own in recent weeks but the defeats came away from home, they are still performing well when they are at the City Ground.

That's why I think they can get a result on Saturday. For insurance, though, I've covered double chance because City picked up an important away win at Tottenham in their previous league appearance, and will fancy themselves to beat Forest for the second time in 2024/25.

The home advantage should play its part, however, and I think the Tricky Trees can gain at least a point from this game. I've added both teams to score to the selection because it has been a successful bet in two of Forest's previous three Premier League outings, as well as in two of Man City's past four away contests in the top flight.

Bet Builder - Anthony Elanga 1+ assists and Erling Haaland to score anytime @ 6/1

I've gone with a Bet Builder for my second selection and it includes two players who are both important to their respective sides.

Starting with Forest's Anthony Elanga, he has been an excellent player to watch this season because of his creative qualities, which he has demonstrated playing on either flank.

He has provided eight assists already in the Premier League and five of them have come at the City Ground. Three of them came in the same match as Forest thrashed Brighton & Hove Albion in February.

Elanga is playing with great confidence and his pace and trickery can get him into excellent positions against a City defence that has not been as resilient as we have been used to.

The second part of the bet builder is for Erling Haaland to score anytime for Man City. The striker has 20 goals to his name already and he has seven in his last eight appearances coming into this clash.

The Norwegian may not have scored against the hosts in the reverse fixture but he has an impressive record against them in the Premier League, having scored five in as many appearances.

Offers

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Saturday: We will be Top Price on Man City to beat Nottingham Forest with selected bookmakers using Oddschecker for the comparison. (Available from 07:30 Saturday)

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