Match Overview

Nottingham Forest welcome Manchester City to the City Ground for a lunchtime Premier League kickoff with both sides seeking key points. Forest lean on improving home output and a vocal crowd, while City arrive on a strong away streak and chasing the top of the table. The hosts’ recent high-tempo approach contrasts with City’s control and efficiency, setting up an intriguing style clash. City also took a 2-0 win in last season’s FA Cup meeting, adding context to a fixture that often hinges on small margins.

• Fixture: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: The City Ground
• Date: 27-12-2025
• Kickoff: 12:30 GMT / 12:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Nottingham Forest

• M. Sels
• N. Milenkovic
• N. Williams
• Murillo
• N. Savona
• E. Anderson
• M. Gibbs-White
• C. Hudson-Odoi
• I. Sangare
• Igor Jesus
• D. Ndoye

Manchester City

• G. Donnarumma
• Rúben Dias
• J. Gvardiol
• R. Aït-Nouri
• A. Husanov
• N. O’Reilly
• Nico González
• Matheus Nunes
• P. Foden
• E. Haaland
• Sávio

Injury & Suspension Report

Nottingham Forest

• O. Aina – Hamstring Injury
• R. Yates – Hamstring Injury
• D. Ndoye – Injury
• I. Sangare – International duty
• W. Boly – International duty
• C. Wood – Knee Injury
• R. Yates – Thigh Injury

Manchester City

• J. Stones – Thigh Injury
• Rodri – Hamstring Injury
• M. Kovačić – Heel Injury
• Omar Marmoush – International duty
• R. Aït-Nouri – International duty
• J. Doku – Leg Injury
• Rodri – Thigh Injury
• O. Bobb – Hamstring Injury

Head-to-Head

Recent meetings have tended to be tight, averaging just over 2.5 goals across the last seven clashes. Over a wider history of 86 matches, Manchester City lead with 35 wins, Nottingham Forest have 27, and 24 ended level. The matchup often rewards patience and accuracy in the final third.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Forest’s home trend points to a front-foot mindset: 11 goals in their last five at the City Ground underline a willingness to press and transition quickly. That approach, however, has been offset by lapses that see them concede close to two per game against comparable opposition. C. Hudson-Odoi’s recent finishing surge, highlighted in a high-scoring draw with Tottenham, remains a key route to goal, with M. Gibbs-White linking play and wide rotations aiming to free runners into space.

Manchester City eye top spot in Premier League as the Reds of Nottingham await a title showdown at the City Ground

City arrive with five straight away wins and 14 goals on that run, reflecting decisive work in the final third and composure in possession. They sit second on 37 points from 17 matches (12W, 1D, 4L), and while their output against similarly strong sides has been more restrained, the structure remains robust. E. Haaland’s recent brace in a 3-0 win over West Ham underlines his form, and service from P. Foden and Matheus Nunes can tilt territory and chance creation in City’s favor.

Forest will try to disrupt that rhythm through aggressive transitions and quick combinations. The hosts’ back line, with N. Milenkovic and Murillo central to duels and clearances, must manage Haaland’s penalty-area movement while tracking underlaps from Sávio and late midfield runs. M. Sels’ shot-stopping could be pivotal if City generate volume from cut-backs and second phases.

City’s midfield balance, with Nico González and N. O’Reilly supporting progression, should target switches to isolate full-backs and open channels for Foden between the lines. For Forest, early vertical passes into Igor Jesus and the timing of runs from Hudson-Odoi represent the best chance to exploit transitional moments. If the game settles into City’s tempo, the visitors’ control should suppress extended spells of Forest pressure.

Prediction: Manchester City to edge a competitive match. Forest’s home threat suggests both teams can score, but City’s away form and sharper finishing point to a 2-1 away win.