Manchester City continue their title defence with a home clash against Nottingham Forest.
Victory will see Man City stay top of the table and extend their lead over second-placed Tottenham to five points.
Forest meanwhile could go sixth with a win if can beat City by three goals or more.
Team News
Mateo Kovacic could return for Man City after recovering from a back injury which forced him to miss their last two matches.
Bernardo Silva (unspecified) is ruled out and joins Jack Grealish (muscle) and Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) on sidelines.
John Stones (muscle) could return if declared fit for selection.
Forest could welcome defender, Willy Boly back into contention following his recovery from illness, which forced him to miss their 1-1 draw at home to Burnley.
Wayne Hennessey (knee) and Serge Aurier (knock) are doubtful but Danilo (knock) remains ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Man City host Nottingham Forest at Etihad Stadium in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday 23 September, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Man City have won just one of their last five Premier League meetings against Forest (W1, D3, L2).
- Forest lost their only previous league visit to City’s current home – Etihad Stadium by a 6-0 result in August 2022.
- Two of the last three meetings between Man City and Forest have ended in 1-1 draws.
- Six of Erling Haaland’s seven league goals for Man City this season were scored on his left foot.
- Forest have scored first in each of their last two away matches (W1, L1).
Prediction
After having to yet again come from 1-0 down at half time for the second time in this past week in their midweek Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade, Pep Guardiola should likely be slightly concerned about how City are performing across 90 minutes despite getting the job done.
Add in the fact that City managed over 20 shots in the first half against Red Star despite their superior quality yet weren’t able to score before half-time, it will surely give opposition hope if they can set up defensively of keeping City out at least half time.
Forest meanwhile aren’t exactly the best travellers in the top flight and were ruthlessly beaten here last season, but there is something different about them this season because they are a lot more solid and attack minded, amidst a wasteful performance against Burnley.
It is therefore imperative that Forest are as clinical as they were in their last away game at Chelsea, otherwise they could be in for a difficult game but the result shouldn’t be as bad as almost 13 months ago.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Nottingham Forest
Result: Manchester City 2-0 Nottingham Forest
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