Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Predictions

Manchester City are the favourite to pick up a solid win this weekend. They have too much firepower for a Forest side that’s missing so many key players, especially given the home team’s recent struggles at the back. Because of that, City should be able to control the game and see it out fairly comfortably

Match info: Premier League

Venue: City Ground, Nottingham

Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025

Time: 1:30 pm Nigerian time

Things are beginning to get tasty at the top of the Premier League table, with Manchester City hoping to leapfrog current leaders Arsenal with a victory over Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early game.

Pep Guardiola’s men are putting serious pressure on the Gunners, though maintaining their current winning run may prove easier said than done as Forest look to end a 30-year streak against the Citizens at the City Ground.

Head-to-head:

• Nottingham Forest have won three of the 12 Premier League meetings between the two teams.
• Manchester City five recorded victories.
• The remaining four clashes ended in draws.
• Nottingham Forest shocked City in this game last year, grinding out a famous 1-0 win.
• Guardiola’s side arrives at the City Ground on the back of seven straight wins in all competitions.
• Haaland has already hit 19 Premier League goals this season. It’s an incredible stat that matches the all-time record for the most goals scored before Christmas.
• Man City have won three of their last five visits to the City Ground, keeping clean sheets in all.
• Nine of their last 10 encounters produced at least two goals.

Form:

• Nottingham Forest in the league: L-W-L-W-L
• Nottingham Forest in all competitions: W-L-W-W-L
• Manchester City in the league: W-W-W-W-W
• Manchester City in all competitions: W-W-W-W-W

Team News:

• Nottingham Forest have to cope without several starters because of international duty and injuries. Willy Boly and Ibrahima Sangaré are both away. Ryan Yates and Ola Aina continue their rehabilitation from hamstring problems. Chris Wood is also out with a knee injury and is aiming for a New Year return.
• Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait Nouri are both missing due to international games. Mateo Kovacic, Jérémy Doku, and Oscar Bobb are injured, while Rodri is in doubt because of his fitness levels, and John Stones faces a late fitness test.

Player(s) to watch:

• Morgan Gibbs-White is the creative engine for the home side, especially with other options out injured. The midfielder has three goals and an assist in 17 games. It shows just how much they rely on him. Dyche needs him to find those little pockets of space. If Forest are going to pull off an upset, their playmaker needs to be on the ball and making things happen.
• Erling Haaland is the focal point of everything City do. He has been a nightmare for defenders all season. The Norwegian has 19 goals and four assists in just 17 league starts. The striker gives Guardiola the clinical finish he expects. City will need his spark to break through a stubborn Forest defence. If the home side loses, he will likely be the reason why.