Manchester City, currently in a challenging period, prepares to face Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium on December 5, 2024, in a critical Premier League clash. Under Pep Guardiola, City finds themselves in 5th place with 23 points, striving to end a four-game losing streak and regain momentum. Despite notable absences due to injuries, the return of Kevin De Bruyne and Jérémy Doku provides hope for a turnaround.
Nottingham Forest, just one point behind and in 6th place, eyes a victory to leapfrog City. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has been a surprise package this season, building resilience and consistently scoring.
Referee Michael Oliver, known for his strict card policy, will oversee the game. The weather forecast predicts chilly conditions with overcast clouds, adding intensity to this important fixture.
Prediction: Manchester City to win. A competitive match is expected, with City likely to secure a 2:1 or 3:1 victory.
Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest Prediction & Betting Tip
| Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Manchester City to win | 1.34 |
- Manchester City has failed to win in their last six matches but is heavily favored to turn it around against Nottingham Forest.
- Despite recent struggles, City boasts top scorer Erling Haaland, who has scored 12 goals this season.
- Pep Guardiola’s team tends to score most of their goals in the 76-90 minute interval, showing their resilience and late-game capability.
Given Manchester City’s need to break their poor form and Nottingham Forest’s b start, a City win at home seems like a solid bet.
Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest Odds
When looking at the betting odds for the Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest match, it’s clear that Manchester City is the firm favorite despite their recent struggles. The bookmakers have placed b confidence in Guardiola’s side to bounce back and secure a win at home.
| Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Manchester City | 1.34 |
| Draw | 5.38 |
| Nottingham Forest | 8.60 |
Despite Manchester City’s winless streak in recent matches, the odds reflect their home advantage and the return of key players like Kevin De Bruyne. Nottingham Forest, while performing impressively this season, still faces long-shot odds to grab an away victory at Etihad Stadium. Expect a competitive match with City aiming to end their losing streak and Forest looking to capitalize on City’s vulnerabilities.
Manchester City Team Analysis
Manchester City Recent Performance: LDLLL
Manchester City is currently navigating a turbulent period with an underwhelming recent form of five games that reads LDLLL. They’ve managed just one draw against Feyenoord and have suffered defeats against Liverpool, Tottenham, Brighton, and Sporting CP. The team has struggled defensively, failing to secure a clean sheet in their last five outings. On the offensive front, City has only managed to average 1.00 goal per match over the same period, far below their usual standards. With key players like Rodri and Kovacic sidelined due to injuries, this has put more pressure on their remaining squad to deliver.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | Manchester City | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Manchester City | Feyenoord | 3-3 (Draw) |
| Manchester City | Tottenham Hotspur | 0-4 (Loss) |
| Brighton & Hove | Manchester City | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Sporting CP | Manchester City | 4-1 (Loss) |
Pep Guardiola’s men will need to harness their experience and find their rhythm to bounce back against Nottingham Forest.
Manchester City Key Players
Manchester City will look to their star striker, Erling Haaland, who has already scored 12 goals this season, to lead the line against Nottingham Forest. The return of Kevin De Bruyne adds a crucial creative edge to their midfield, potentially linking up with Haaland to unlock Forest’s defense. Bernardo Silva, likely playing a deeper role due to injuries, will be pivotal in controlling the tempo. On the wings, watch for the pace and trickery of Jérémy Doku and Jack Grealish, who can stretch the play and provide key crosses. Expected lineup for Manchester City:
- Goalkeeper: Stefan Ortega
- Defenders: Rico Lewis, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Josko Gvardiol
- Midfielders: Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes, Kevin De Bruyne
- Attackers: Jérémy Doku, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland
Manchester City Suspensions & Injuries
Manchester City is grappling with several key injuries, significantly impacting their lineup. The absence of midfield powerhouse Rodri due to a crucial ligament injury is particularly daunting, as he plays a vital role in their defensive setup. Oscar Bobb is sidelined with a broken leg, while Mateo Kovacic and John Stones are nearing their return from muscle injuries but won’t be available for this match. These injuries leave Guardiola with fewer options and place added pressure on fit players like Kevin De Bruyne to step up.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Oscar Bobb | Broken leg | Early January 2025 |
| Rodri | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Mateo Kovacic | Muscle injury | Mid December 2024 |
| John Stones | Muscle injury | Mid December 2024 |
Manchester City Tactics and Formation
Manchester City Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Erling Haaland
- Midfield Duo: Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes
- Defensive Setup: Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji at center-back
- Notable Strategy: Strong attack in the final 15 minutes of matches
Manchester City will likely adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation against Nottingham Forest, aiming to dominate possession and create numerous goal-scoring opportunities. The returning Kevin De Bruyne is crucial to breaking down Forest’s defense, threading passes to Haaland. With injuries ravaging their midfield, Silva and Nunes will play pivotal roles in both defense and attack. Defensively, Dias and Akanji need to be solid to counter Forest’s scoring threat. Given City’s recent struggles, expect them to push hard towards the end of the match to capitalize on scoring opportunities when opponents tire.
Nottingham Forest Team Analysis
Nottingham Forest Recent Performance WLLWW
Nottingham Forest has shown a roller-coaster form recently with two wins and three losses in their last five matches. Having beaten Leicester City and West Ham United, they displayed their capacity to score consistently, averaging 1.6 goals per game. Their defense, however, remains a concern with only two clean sheets in the last five games. Overall, they have maintained a competitive edge with b resilience on the field.
Here’s a table showcasing their last five results:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | Ipswich Town | 1-0 (Win) |
| Arsenal | Nottingham Forest | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Nottingham Forest | Newcastle United | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Nottingham Forest | West Ham United | 3-0 (Win) |
| Leicester City | Nottingham Forest | 1-3 (Win) |
Forest’s coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, will aim to leverage this mixed bag of performances and focus on sharpening both their attack and defense against a formidable Manchester City side.
Nottingham Forest Key Players
Nottingham Forest will rely heavily on their top scorer, Chris Wood, who has netted 9 goals this season. His performance will be crucial as he takes on Manchester City’s formidable defense led by Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, exhibiting flashes of brilliance on the wing, pairs well with Morgan Gibbs-White in the attacking midfield. Their creativity and pace can pose a serious threat to Manchester City’s often high defensive line.
In midfield, Ryan Yates will be key in breaking up City’s play and distributing the ball effectively. Ola Aina and Neco Williams, covering the flanks, will need to keep City’s wingers in check.
Expected lineup for Nottingham Forest:
- Goalkeeper: Matz Sels
- Defenders: Ola Aina, Nikola Milenković, Murillo, Neco Williams
- Midfielders: Ryan Yates, Nicolás Domínguez, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White
- Forward: Chris Wood
Nottingham Forest Suspensions & Injuries
Nottingham Forest heads into their clash with Manchester City without any player suspensions, but they are dealing with a couple of significant injuries that could impact their performance. In the midfield, the absence of Ibrahim Sangaré due to a hamstring injury is a blow, particularly in their defensive capabilities. His return is anticipated in late January 2025, which means Forest will need to manage his absence for a few more weeks. Another notable absentee is Danilo, who is recovering from a broken ankle. He’s expected to be out until early January 2025, leaving a gap in Forest’s depth and versatility in the middle of the park.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Sangaré | Hamstring Injury | Late January 2025 |
| Danilo | Broken Ankle | Early January 2025 |
| No suspensions are reported for Nottingham Forest. |
These injuries could limit Forest’s midfield options, putting extra pressure on the remaining players to step up their game against Manchester City’s potent attack.
Nottingham Forest Tactics and Formation
Nottingham Forest’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- This setup allows the team to maintain defensive solidity while providing ample support to their forward.
- Key Forward: Chris Wood
- With 9 goals this season, Wood is their main offensive threat.
- Midfield Duo: Ryan Yates, Nicolas Dominguez
- This pair anchors the midfield, ensuring balance between attack and defense.
- Defensive Strength:
- Two clean sheets in the last five games illustrate their ability to tighten up at the back.
- Notable Strategy:
- Utilizing the speed of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga on the wings to create opportunities.
This balanced approach seeks to exploit Manchester City’s defensive vulnerabilities while maintaining resilience at the back.
Manchester City vs. Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Statistics
The recent encounters between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest reveal some interesting dynamics. Manchester City has generally had the upper hand, securing wins in most of their clashes. Here’s a look at the last five meetings:
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | Manchester City | 0-2 |
| Manchester City | Nottingham Forest | 2-0 |
| Nottingham Forest | Manchester City | 1-1 |
| Manchester City | Nottingham Forest | 6-0 |
| Manchester City | Nottingham Forest | 0-3 |
Venue and Weather
Etihad Stadium
The Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City, boasts a capacity of around 53,000, making it one of the larger venues in the Premier League.
Weather Forecast
The weather in Manchester on match day is expected to be overcast with a temperature hovering around 2°C.
- Humidity: 83%, which might make the ball a bit slick and conditions slightly uncomfortable for both teams.
- Wind Speed: 0.91 m/s, not too much of a factor in passing or long balls.
- Pressure: 1029 hPa, typical for this time of year.
Both teams will need to adjust to the cold temperature. Expect a slower game with more emphasis on ball control and shorter passes. This could benefit City’s structured playstyle under Guardiola.
Where to watch Man City vs Nottingham Forest Premier League live streaming in India
The Premier League matches will be telecast live on the Star Sports Select HD 1 TV channel in India. Live streaming of the Premier League will be available on Disney+Hotstar. The service is not free and will require a subscription.
