Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

A key battle in the race for the UEFA Champions League places will likely be a close contest, and with inconsistencies across the form for both sides, we think a draw could be on the cards here.

Nottingham Forest are winless in their last three Premier League matches, however, two of those matches were away from home. The home side have one of the best home records in the division, with no losses since November at the City Ground. So expect Manchester City to face a difficult challenge in this fixture.

Manchester City have shown signs of rediscovering their form in the Premier League in recent weeks, with the visitors winning four of their last six. However, Manchester City have also shown signs of capitulation, especially with their performances against Arsenal and Liverpool.

A high-scoring game could be on offer, as Over 2.5 goals have been scored in six of the last eight matches involving Nottingham Forest and eight of the last ten involving Manchester City.

With only a point separating the two teams before kick-off, we think that will remain the same by the final whistle.

Nottingham Forest 2-2 Manchester City

A massive match in the race for the UEFA Champions League places takes place at the City Ground, as Nottingham Forest hosts Manchester City.

Date: 08/03/2025
Location: City Ground, Nottingham.
Kick-Off: 12.30 pm

Nottingham Forest are enjoying a magnificent season, not only just in the Premier League but also across domestic competition - a testament to the excellent work from Nuno Espirito Santo. The Reds find themselves in a magnificent position in the Premier League, as the home side are in third place after 27 matches played, a single point above their opponents ahead of kick-off. Nottingham Forest’s win against Ipswich Town on Monday, has also secured Forest an FA Cup Quarter-Final tie against Brighton & Hove Albion (A).

This season, the prospect of potentially five places for the UEFA Champions League next season is relatively high, which could fall in Nottingham Forest’s favour should their form potentially fall towards the latter stages of the season. A win for Nottingham Forest at the weekend will keep them in third place. However, any potential defeat could allow the opportunity for Chelsea to capitalise, with the Blues two points behind Nottingham Forest in fifth place.

Manchester City have been a shell of their usual selves this season, with the visitors only fighting on two fronts towards the end of the season. The Citizens were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by holders Real Madrid last month as their European dream ended. Pep Guardiola’s side can still win a major trophy this season, following their 3-1 win against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup, and they now have a quarter-final tie against AFC Bournemouth away from home.

In the Premier League, one of the major reasons for their fall from grace has been injuries to key players such as Rodri and Ruben Dias throughout the season. Approaching this game, Manchester City are in fourth place in the league after 27 games played and a point behind Nottingham Forest. This means a win will move the visitors two points clear of their opposition and potentially four points behind second-placed Arsenal, should the Gunners drop points against Manchester United.

The game will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate.

Nottingham Forest Team News

Nottingham Forest seemingly came out unscathed following their Monday night FA Cup win against Ipswich Town.

Manchester City Team News

Pep Guardiola will likely be without the services of Nathan Ake. The Dutch defender was withdrawn at half-time in their FA Cup tie against Plymouth Argyle.

Manchester City have a favourable head-to-head record against Nottingham Forest, with the Citizens having won the last three meetings between the two teams and have remained unbeaten in the previous five matches against Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest are coming into this game having only won twice in their previous five matches in all competitions. The Reds win against Ipswich Town on Monday via a penalty shootout, had halted a run of three games without a win - with all three matches taking place in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest had suffered two consecutive defeats in the league against Fulham (2-1) and Newcastle United (4-3), before securing a draw against Arsenal (0-0).

At the City Ground, Nottingham Forest have been excellent this season, losing only twice from 13 games and only once since November. The home side are unbeaten in their last seven home matches in the Premier League and have secured excellent victories against the likes of Aston Villa (2-1), Tottenham Hotspur (1-0) and Brighton & Hove Albion (7-0).

Manchester City heads into this fixture with rather respectable form across all competitions. The Citizens have won three of their last five in all competitions, suffering two defeats against the likes of Real Madrid (3-1) and Liverpool (0-2).

In the Premier League, Manchester City’s form reflects the same, as the visitors have won three of their previous five league matches - including their most recent league victory away from home against Tottenham Hotspur (0-1). Manchester City’s performances against Liverpool and Arsenal have to be highlighted ahead of this fixture due to the lacklustre effort shown by the current Premier League champions.

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