Game Week 18 Predictions: Manchester City to beat Forest

Nottingham Forest will attempt to rain on the Cityzens party at the City Ground, is there a chance the hosts can earn something from this on...

Nottingham Forest will attempt to rain on the Cityzens party at the City Ground, is there a chance the hosts can earn something from this one? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

The City Ground

1:30pm

Manchester City has the chance to once again go above Arsenal on the log, with their fixture coming earlier than the Gunners’ on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola’s side will start the day at the City Ground against their hosts Nottingham Forest with a win on the cards as they navigate this festive season, hoping to finally have Arsenal behind them, having trailed the Gunners all season.

Nottingham Forest has done big things this season despite their horrible start and the fact that they had to change managers twice already. They hired Ange Postecoglou to replace Nuno Espirito Santo, but the Australian manager only lasted for 9 games before being dismissed.

Since the arrival of Sean Dyche, Forest has improved greatly. Notably, Forest beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield; while that remains their biggest result of this season, earning something at home against a title contender like Manchester City, in front of the City Ground crowd, would taste better.

Manchester City is in top form. They blew the Hammers away last weekend, and they have their super striker beating the drum of their opponents hard. Phil Foden is in the form of his life, and every arm of their team is ticking; should Arsenal be afraid?

It feels like a David and Goliath affair, but you don’t want to rule out the hosts in this one. Everyone expects Manchester City to win this one, and they most likely will; however, Nottingham Forest, under Sean Dyche, can rain on their party.

You already know, Erling Haaland is the man to watch. The Norwegian knows what to do; he doesn’t need lots of touches to show what he can do. His numbers this season continue to defy logic, and there are no signs that he will stop anytime soon.

Foden, right behind the big Norwegian, is a huge threat, and Forest would know this. Rayan Cherki is finally finding his feet in England, dribbling his way to form and proving a bargain to the former champions; he will come in handy again. On Saturday.

Igor Jesus continues to lead the line in the absence of Chris Wood, and if there is one fixture where he wants to prove he deserves the shirt, it is this one that could underline Forest’s survival hopes. He needs to start scoring consistently if he wants to nail the shirt and also help his club.

Verdict: Straight win for City.