Premier League: Forest Have No Chance Against the Etihad Fortress

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest

Manchester City are coming for the Premier League title, and they can inch closer to the top of the English top-flight standings with a game in hand. Pep Guardiola’s men have won four straight and are keen to make it five in a row when they host Nottingham Forest at the Etihad on Wednesday night. If they win this game, the Sky Blues will only be two points adrift of the Gunners after Matchday 29.

Besides tacking on points in the Premier League, the Nottingham Forest game serves as a warm-up for Manchester City’s upcoming crunch matches against Newcastle United in the FA Cup fifth round and Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16.

Nottingham Forest are still dealing with the threat of relegation, even if they changed coaches for the nth time. Since beating Fenerbahce in the first leg of the Europa League knockout play-offs, Vitor Pereira is on a three-game losing streak.

 

Talking Points

Haaland iffy to play for Manchester City

Manchester City won 1-0 against Leeds United last weekend, despite not having Erling Haaland, as Antoine Semenyo scored the marginal goal before halftime, connecting on Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross. Semenyo teamed up with Omar Marmoush in the final third, with Bernardo Silva, Rayan Cherki, and Nico O’Reilly providing support.

Haaland, the Premier League’s Golden Boot frontrunner with 22 goals, was left out of the Sky Blues squad because he wasn’t fit against the Whites. Head coach Pep Guardiola didn’t exactly disclose Haaland’s injury, so the Norwegian striker is considered questionable to play on Wednesday against the Tricky Trees. If Haaland isn’t good to go again, Marmoush should continue to start up front.

O’Reilly is also questionable to play after he sustained an ankle injury at Elland Road, while Mateo Kovacic (foot) and Josko Gvardiol (calf) will definitely sit out on Wednesday. If O’Reilly doesn’t make it, either Tijjani Reijnders or Phil Foden will start.

Furthermore, Guardiola could consider resting Rodri in favour of Nico Gonzalez, as the games come thick and fast. Jeremy Doku could return to the rotation after missing the previous six games with a calf injury.

 

Sels gives Nottingham Forest a defensive boost

Stefan Ortega may miss out on a reunion with his former club, as the former Manchester City goalkeeper is dealing with a calf injury, paving the way for Matz Sels to reclaim his place in Nottingham Forest’s starting XI.

Sels has returned from a groin injury that had kept him out since the start of February, and the Belgian shot stopper saved the Tricky Trees from further embarrassment during their 2-1 loss to Brighton, saving five shots. His return definitely reinforces Nottingham Forest’s rearguard, as he was the Golden Glove winner last term and has four clean sheets this campaign. Covering for Sels will be the back four of Ola Aina, Neco Williams, Murillo, and Nikola Milenkovic, with Elliot Anderson and Ibrahim Sangare in the double pivot.

 

History

Manchester City registered a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest, coached by then-manager Sean Dyche, at City Ground last December. Tijjani Reijnders and Omari Hutchinson exchanged goals early in the second half, before Rayan Cherki scored a late goal to give the Sky Blues the away victory.

The Sky Blues have won four of their last five league matches against the Tricky Trees (L1). Pep Guardiola’s men have also won 16 of their last 19 Premier League home matches (D2, L1), at least three more than any other side since April 2025.

Since returning to the Premier League in 2022-23, Nottingham Forest have lost all three of their league games against Manchester City at the Etihad without scoring, conceding 11 times. Nottingham Forest are winless in eight away top-flight visits (D3, L5) since a 3-0 result in November 1989.

 

Betting Tip

The Premier League 2026 odds have the Sky Blues blowing by the Tricky Trees on Wednesday night. Manchester City are the heavy favourites at 1.36, whereas Nottingham Forest are 6.60 underdogs, and a draw is at 4.56 in the 1X2 market.

Another win for Manchester City should keep Arsenal on their toes. Besides rooting for a Sky Blues victory, SBOTOP punters can expect new Premier League 2026 highlights from this contest, making Over 2.75 at 1.72, Over 3.00 at 1.96, Over 3.25 at 2.21, and even Total Goal 4-6 at 2.68 worth considering to add to the parlay. Moreover, a Correct Score of 2-1 in favour of the Sky Blues – the result of their reverse fixture – offers a handsome payout of 7.60.

   

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