Nottingham Forest-Manchester City is a match valid for the twenty-fourth day of the Premier League and is played on Saturday at 16:00: tv, formations, predictions.
The eleventh win in a row against Arsenal tasted very sweet for Manchester City, who returned to the top of the Premier League after nearly four months. Only momentarily, as the Gunners, just beaten 3-1 in the Emirates Stadium clash, have a match to make up and could still be ahead.
But the magical night in London carries with it a far greater significance: it revives the title ambitions of Pep Guardiola’s side, who until a few days ago seemed destined to abdicate in favour of the Londoners. In the space of a couple of weeks, the Citizens have closed the gap on Arteta’s men to zero, despite the recent defeat against Tottenham. The Catalan coach helped open the mini-crisis of the direct competitor, eliminating it from the FA Cup, and to return to first in the standings he only needed to win two of the next three matches. On Wednesday, his City side showed that they are still the team to beat: Guardiola changed the set-up once again, deciding to leave the ball in the Gunners’ hands – for the first time his team recorded less than 40% ball possession – and taking advantage of the defensive lapses committed by Xhaka and his teammates.
The Citizens want to stay on top
The reigning champions are back in front, if only because of a better goal difference, but they can’t be expected to stop at the top.
Surridge
Before focusing on the Champions League – Leipzig await them next week – they will be on the scene at the City Ground against newly promoted Nottingham Forest. Steve Cooper’s men are struggling to keep their category and are particularly insidious at home – here they have picked up 75% of the points – where they have chastened both Tottenham and Liverpool. In the last round, they broke their five-match unbeaten streak. In London, against Fulham, it ended 2-0 for the Cottagers, but the red and whites remain +6 on the relegation zone and on third-last Everton.
The Prediction
A clean sweep in their clash with Arsenal gives Manchester City, who despite being more vulnerable this year, should make no mistake against a Nottingham Forest side struggling with numerous absences. The aggregate goals could be at least three on the afternoon at the City Ground.
The likely line-ups for Nottingham Forest-Manchester City
- NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-3-1-2): Navas; Aurier, Worrall, Felipe, Renan Lodi; Danilo, Freuler, Shelvey; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Wood.
- MANCHESTER CITY (3-4-3): Ederson; Walker, Ruben Dias, Laporte; Lewis, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 0-3