Man City have won each of their last three meetings with Forest, all without conceding, while the Citizens are unbeaten in five visits to the City Ground, dating back to 1995.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Preview
With just 11 games remaining in this Premier League season, few would've predicted that Nottingham Forest would kick off a point above Manchester City, but this makes Saturday's early kick off key in the race for Champions League qualification. Despite starting the day third in third, Nuno Espírito Santo's side have yielded just four points from their last five league fixtures, their sole victory since mid-January that 7-0 annihilation of Brighton, most-recently held to a goalless draw by Arsenal.
However, on Monday night, the Garibaldi Reds, just about, reached the FA Cup quarter-finals. They could only draw 1-1 with Ipswich after 120 minutes, Ryan Yates with an equaliser mid-way through the second half, so for the second round running, they went to penalties. The first nine spot kicks were all expertly converted, meaning just one Matz Sels stop was enough to see Forest progress. Now, attention turns back to their top five push, so can Nuno's team take a gigantic step towards Champions League qualification by beating the soon to be dethroned champions?
Manchester City meantime are 20 points adrift the leaders, few would've forecast that before a ball was kicked in August, simply needing to make sure of a top five finish. Last time out in the league, Pep Guardiola's team battled to a crucial victory, with Erling Braut Håland's first half goal enough to down Spurs in North London.
Then, last weekend, the Sky Blues had to come from a goal down to defeat Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the FA Cup; Nico O'Reilly scoring twice, before Kevin De Bruyne made sure late on. Between the start of November and Christmas Day, Man City won only one of eight Premier League games, but that was when Forest visited the Etihad, so will they claim another crucial victory on the banks of the River Trent?
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 105.
- Nottingham Forest Wins: 33. Draws: 28. Manchester City Wins: 44.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Nuno Espírito Santo made six changes against Ipswich on Monday, albeit regulars including Neco Williams, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood were all required off the bench. Nikola Milenković will return to defence, having been given the night off, with Nicolás Domínguez and the aforementioned Anderson the most-likely midfield pairing.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Manchester City: (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Domínguez, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White; Elanga, Wood.
Nottingham Forest Players to Watch vs Manchester City
Chris Wood has 18 goals to his name this season, while he's only ever scored once in 14 meetings with Man City, but this did come for Forest at the City Ground two seasons ago.
Manchester City Team News
Having made wholesale changes for the visit of Plymouth, Pep Guardiola is expected to largely revert to the team that beat Tottenham. Matheus Nunes started that game at right-back, chosen over Rico Lewis, with Erling Braut Håland surpringly leading the line, after seemingly suffering a rather serious knee injury against Newcastle less than a fortnight earlier.
John Stones and Manuel Akanji are sidelined, while Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden could all begin the afternoon on the bench, as they did at Spurs.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest: (4-3-3): Ederson; Lewis, Khusanov, Rúben Dias, Gvardiol; Kovačić, Nico, Savinho, Marmoush, Doku; Håland.
Manchester City Player to Watch vs Nottingham Forest
Erling Braut Håland has 28 goals to his name this season, while one of his eight Premier League hat-tricks came against Forest in August 2022.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Prediction
We are backing Forest to earn, at least, a draw from this one, with Nuno Espírito Santo's side boasting enough quality to match Pep Guardiola's inconsistent team: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester City.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Premier League game on TV channel?
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: TNT Sports 1 & Ultimate
- USA: fuboTV, NBC, Telemundo & Deportes En Vivo
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Premier League game on live streaming?
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: discovery+
- USA: fuboTV, nbcsports.com, USA Network, Telemundo & SiriusXM FC
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City in the Premier League?
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City takes place on Saturday 8 March 2025, with kick off at 12:30 (GMT), 7:30 (EDT) & 4:30 (PST).