Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Once again looking to close the gap at the top of the Premier League table, Manchester City will welcome Nottingham Forest to the Etihad on Wednesday night.
Manchester City
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might once again watched Arsenal widen their buffer on Sunday afternoon, Pep Guardiola’s men are enjoying their own extended purple patch. Putting in a gritty performance away at Leeds over the weekend as they snatched a hard-fought 1-0 victory in Yorkshire, the Sky Blues have won each of their previous six consecutive appearances across all competitions. Storming back since their brief January blip, the English heavyweights will be smelling a golden opportunity when they return to Manchester on Wednesday night. Facing what is another must-win battle in midweek, City should be excited by their recent defensive grit. In fact, Guardiola’s superstar squad have shipped just a single strike in over 370 minutes of domestic action. It should also be highlighted, City have won all of their last seven straight showdowns at the Etihad by an aggregate score of 24-3.
Manchester City Team News
Missing out away at Elland Road over the weekend with a reported knee injury, Manchester City are once again sweating over the fitness of attacking talisman Erling Haaland. Undergoing surgery over the festive period after suffering a leg fracture, Josko Gvardiol remains on the sidelines.
Limping off in Yorkshire with a suspected ankle injury, academy graduate Nico O’Reilly is seen as a real doubt at the Etihad. Bagging the winner against Leeds on Saturday evening and continuing to shine since completing a January switch from Bournemouth, the red-hot Antoine Semenyo will lead the line here.
Nottingham Forest
As for the visitors, while Vitor Pereira might have got his Nottingham Forest tenure underway with a famous 3-0 Europa League romp away at Turkish giants Fenerbahce on February 19th, the former Wolves boss has seen his squad come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Despite eventually edging past the Yellow Canaries last week as they extended on their European adventure, Wednesday’s guests are firmly at the heart of a Premier League relegation scrap. Last seen over the weekend getting hit with a 2-1 loss away at Brighton, Forest have lost each of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-2. Opening the midweek fixtures holding just a two-point buffer over slipping into the relegation zone, Pereira’s new squad couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge when they travel to the Etihad.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Dealing with what looks set to be a season-ending knee injury, Nottingham Forest will once again be without New Zealand international Chris Wood. Likewise, only making five appearances before completing a January switch from Manchester City, new recruit Stefan Ortega is dealing with a calf issue.
Bagging a consolation strike at the Amex on Sunday and registering seven direct goal contributions (five goals, two assists) so far this calendar year, skipper Morgan Gibbs-White will play a leading role. Attracting plenty of heavyweight summer interest, England international Elliot Anderson will start in the middle of the park.
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester City and Nottingham Forest met for their reverse Premier League battle on December 27th, Guardiola’s side claimed a 2-1 victory at the City Ground.
- Man City have won all of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, the Sky Blues have won all of their their last seven straight showdowns at the Etihad by an aggregate score of 24-3.
- Nottingham Forest have won their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-2.
- England international Morgan Gibbs-White has registered seven direct goal contributions (five goals, two assists) so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Facing what is another must-win showdown when they return to the Etihad on Wednesday night, Manchester City can’t afford what would be a public slip-up here. Winning all of their previous six straight appearances across all fronts, Guardiola’s side have also gained a real reputation for their dominance on home soil. Landing a 2-1 victory when they travelled to the City Ground for their reverse Premier League battle on December 27th, City will feel that they have been handed a golden opportunity in midweek.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet