Game Week 28 Predictions: Forest to frustrate Manchester City again

Nottingham Forest and Man City battle for a top-four spot at the City Ground. With Chelsea lurking, both sides must avoid defeat in this clash.

The battle for third place in the Premier League is well and truly on, who is your money on? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

The City Ground

1:30 pm

Manchester City’s season is now hinged on a top-four finish and whatever they do in the FA Cup with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United out of the competition.

The champions currently sit in fourth, just a point off their opponents on Saturday, and could well usurp Arsenal in second if the Gunners don’t get their acts right; however, they can only beat what is in front of them, so they must win at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest knows what is at stake; Nuno Espirito Santo and his brave men have done so well this season to stay in the top four, but, with only one point keeping them in third and Chelsea only behind by two, this is the time for them to get things really tight.

The big draw against Arsenal on this ground this time round meant they sustained their strong run at home; now they must do it again against a team that once suffered in their hands in the past on this same ground; they must re-enact the performances that got them this far when City visits on Saturday.

Both teams were in the FA Cup action last weekend, and both advanced, albeit in different styles. Forest needed a penalty shootout win while Kevin De Bruyne guided the Cityzens to a 3-1 win over Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

Both teams know what is at stake here: win and go to third on the log, draw and both might see Chelsea usurp them with City the ones to step out of the top four in that regard, while anyone who loses already knows it’s a huge dent in their top four hopes.

With Chelsea facing Leicester City, it’s almost certain that they would win, so City and their hosts would give their all to ensure they don’t drop points on Saturday. There are no fitness concerns for Forest; only Carlos Miguel will miss this one, which means the hosts can call on anyone else.

For the champions, they will be without John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and the other two long-term absentees (Oscar Bobb and Rodri), but they sure have enough cover in defence to prosecute this game; they don’t have excuses.

Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Morgan Gibbs White are all available to provide services for the red-hot Chris Wood, while the veteran De Bruyne will be on hand to supply Erling Haaland, who is slowly getting back to his feet. How will this one pan out?

Verdict: Full-time draw.