Nottingham Vs Manchester City

Two teams fiercely competing for a place in the Premier League’s top four will go head-to-head at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon, as Nottingham Forest, sitting in third place, prepare to take on fourth-placed Manchester City.

The reigning English champions are aiming to complete a league double over Forest for the second consecutive campaign, having comfortably secured a 3-0 triumph in the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium back in early December.

Nottingham Forest’s remarkable rise this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. After a relegation battle last season, few could have predicted their current push for a Champions League spot. Moreover, they are just one match away from a Wembley appearance in the FA Cup, highlighting the incredible progress made under Nuno Espirito Santo’s management.

Their journey in the FA Cup has been dramatic, requiring penalty shootouts to advance past both Exeter City and Ipswich Town in the fourth and fifth rounds, respectively. Their latest victory came in a tense shootout against Ipswich after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at the City Ground, which they eventually won 5-4 on penalties. This victory has set up a quarter-final clash against Brighton & Hove Albion. Notably, Forest previously dismantled Brighton 7-0 in a Premier League encounter on February 1, showcasing their potential to deliver stunning performances.

However, since that emphatic victory, their form has stuttered, with only one point gained from their last three league outings. They suffered consecutive defeats to Fulham (2-1) and Newcastle United (4-3) before securing a goalless draw against Arsenal at home. While they have managed to hold onto third place, the competition is closing in, with just six points separating them from 10th place as the season enters its final stretch with 11 matches remaining.

Securing three points against Manchester City will be no easy feat. Forest’s recent history against the Citizens has been grim, as they have failed to win any of their last nine league encounters (D2, L7). Their last triumph over City in league competition dates back to December 1997, when they edged out a 3-2 victory at Maine Road in the second tier of English football.

Meanwhile, Manchester City head into this fixture fresh off a 1-0 league victory over Tottenham Hotspur, followed by an FA Cup fifth-round comeback win against Plymouth Argyle. Their FA Cup journey nearly faced an unexpected hurdle, as Plymouth initially took the lead at the Etihad Stadium. However, City responded strongly, with Kevin De Bruyne playing a pivotal role, scoring once and assisting twice as young Nico O’Reilly netted a brace to secure a 3-1 victory. This result set up a quarter-final tie against Bournemouth later this month, keeping their hopes of lifting silverware alive.

Pep Guardiola’s side remains one of the strongest contenders for the FA Cup title, but their immediate priority is cementing a place in next season’s Champions League. A win against Forest will not only solidify their position in the top four but also guarantee them a third-place finish by the end of the weekend, providing further momentum in their campaign.

The upcoming clash at the City Ground marks the eighth Premier League fixture since November where Manchester City will start the day positioned in the top four. However, despite their elite status, they have struggled to capitalize on such opportunities, picking up just a single point from their last seven matches in similar circumstances. A concerning trend for Guardiola’s men is their defensive vulnerability in those games, having conceded at least two goals in each, amounting to a total of 19 goals leaked during that stretch.

Despite these defensive concerns, City’s form in 2025 remains strong. Only Liverpool (22) and Arsenal (18) have amassed more Premier League points this calendar year than City’s 16 (W5, D1, L2). Additionally, they remain among the league’s most potent attacking forces, matching Liverpool’s tally of 21 goals in 2025, the highest in the division.

History suggests that City have every reason to be confident heading into this contest. They have dominated their recent meetings with Nottingham Forest, winning the last three encounters in the Premier League by a combined scoreline of 7-0. If they secure another victory on Saturday, it will mark the first time they have ever won four consecutive top-flight matches against Forest, further asserting their superiority.

With both sides having so much at stake, the upcoming fixture promises to be a thrilling encounter. Nottingham Forest will be eager to prove they can compete with the league’s elite and consolidate their unlikely bid for Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, Manchester City, with their vast experience and immense squad depth, will be determined to put their inconsistencies behind them and maintain their push for a strong finish to the season. As the battle for a top-four finish intensifies, all eyes will be on the City Ground to see who will emerge victorious in this crucial showdown.