Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 27/50
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
The Premier League title race is heating up, and Manchester City have the chance to climb above leaders Arsenal when they visit Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Pep Guardiola’s side are applying serious pressure on the Gunners, but extending their winning streak may not be straightforward as Forest aim to end a 30-year run without consecutive league victories over City at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest
The hosts approach this clash on the back of six wins in their last nine matches across all competitions, a run that includes a stunning 3-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago. However, Forest failed to build on that success, producing a flat display in a 1-0 defeat at Fulham—a result that leaves them just one place above the relegation zone.
Home form will be key for Sean Dyche’s men. Forest have claimed four victories in their previous six outings at the City Ground, suffering only one defeat since Dyche took charge. Supporters will also recall City’s last visit, which ended in a memorable 1-0 win for Forest—their first league victory over the Manchester giants since 1995.
Now, Dyche’s side have the chance to record back-to-back league wins against City for the first time in three decades. A victory would also push Forest eight points clear of the bottom three before the afternoon fixtures kick off.
Team News – Nottingham Forest
Nicolas Dominguez, Matz Sels, and Taiwo Awoniyi returned to the squad for the Fulham game. Chris Wood remains unavailable as he continues individual training following a knee injury.
Ola Aina is back in first-team training but lacks match fitness, while Ryan Yates and Dan Ndoye are being assessed. Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly are away on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Manchester City
City have dominated headlines this week after Guardiola revealed he would weigh his players post-Christmas, threatening to omit anyone who returned out of shape—a sign of his determination in this title race. Confidence in the camp is high, with City enjoying a seven-match winning run in all competitions.
Their recent Premier League form has been ruthless: three consecutive 3-0 victories. Another win by the same margin would make City the first team in English top-flight history to record four straight league wins by three or more goals while keeping clean sheets. Defensively, they have conceded just once in their last five games—a 2-1 Champions League win over Real Madrid.
Five successive league wins have left City two points behind Arsenal, meaning a victory here would take them top, at least until the Gunners face Brighton later in the day. History suggests Arsenal should be wary—City have made a habit of overtaking them in the second half of the season.
Team News
Jeremy Doku is unlikely to feature, with Guardiola targeting a return in early January. John Stones and Oscar Bobb are also expected to miss out.
Rodri is recovering from a hamstring injury, though his involvement remains uncertain, while Mateo Kovacic faces around three months on the sidelines. Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are away on international duty.
Head-to-Head
Manchester City and Nottingham Forest have met 103 times in all competitions. City hold the edge with 41 wins to Forest’s 38, while 24 matches have ended in draws. Forest’s 1-0 victory last season was their first league success over City since 1995, breaking a long drought. At the City Ground, Forest have historically been competitive, but recent decades have seen City dominate the fixture.
Conclusion
Manchester City are in sensational form and will be determined to keep their winning run alive as they chase top spot. Nottingham Forest’s home record and last season’s upset offer hope, but Dyche’s men have struggled for consistency and face a side brimming with confidence.
City lost on their previous visit, yet with the title race in full swing, Guardiola’s team should have enough to set the record straight.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 27/50
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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