Man City vs. Nottingham Forest: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Manchester City will attempt to stretch their winning streak to seven matches across all competitions when they host relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at a sold-out Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. Pep Guardiola’s men remain five points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, although they still hold a game in hand, and another victory would keep the pressure firmly on the summit.

City’s 1-0 triumph at Leeds United on Saturday maintained the status quo at the top, as Arsenal responded 24 hours later with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chelsea. Guardiola’s squad appears to be hitting its customary spring stride, dispelling early-spring doubts that the champions had lost their ability to rattle off successive victories when it matters most.

Nottingham Forest arrive in Manchester in far more fragile shape. Back-to-back league defeats have left Vitor Pereira’s side hovering just above the drop zone, only two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham with ten fixtures remaining. Pereira, appointed after the club parted company with Sean Dyche, has overseen progress in Europe—guiding Forest into the Europa League round of 16—but domestic stability has so far proved elusive.

City have no recent history of slipping against teams in the bottom third at home, and anything less than three points would register as a major shock. Still, Pereira labelled the midweek trip “a free hit,” hinting his players will shed inhibitions and attempt to exploit any complacency in the hosts’ ranks.

Team-news round-up

Erling Haaland, the league’s leading marksman, sat out the win at Elland Road with an unspecified complaint, but Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday the Norwegian is “much better.” A final decision on his involvement will follow training later today. Academy graduate Nico O’Reilly, who sustained an ankle knock against Leeds, faces a similar late fitness test. Should O’Reilly miss out, Phil Foden—unused at the weekend and searching for form in 2026—is primed for a recall. Max Alleyne is doubtful with a knock, while Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić remain sidelined with ankle problems.

For Forest, goalkeeper Matz Sels is expected to start despite being rushed back early at the weekend after Stefan Ortega’s calf injury. Angus Gunn waits in the wings should Sels fail to last. Full-back Nicolò Savona has undergone surgery on a persistent issue and will not return until the summer. Chris Wood (knee) is unlikely to feature before April, leaving Igor Jesus to continue leading the line. John Victor and Willy Boly are also unavailable.

Predicted XIs

Manchester City (4-2-2-2): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Aït-Nouri; Silva, Rodri; Cherki, Foden; Semenyo, Haaland.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Netz; Sangaré, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus.

Canadian viewers can catch the match live on DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada, and Fubo Sports Network 4 Canada.

Bottom line: City’s pursuit of a fourth straight Premier League crown demands relentless accumulation of points; anything less than victory against a depleted, travel-shy Forest would feel like self-sabotage. For the visitors, a positive result would lift belief, yet survival will ultimately be decided in their remaining home fixtures. Expect Guardiola’s machine to roll on.