City come into this midweek clash in commanding form, having sealed a 1–0 victory at Leeds United at the weekend to extend their winning run and remain within sight of the summit. The Sky Blues have also been formidable at home in recent months, remaining unbeaten at the Etihad and clinching seven straight wins on their own turf.
Despite the absence of talismanic striker Erling Haaland through injury, City have continued to tick, with summer signing Antoine Semenyo stepping up with decisive moments and linking well with creative outlets such as Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki. Guardiola will monitor fitness ahead of kick-off, especially on Haaland’s recovery and Nico O’Reilly’s minor knock sustained on Saturday.
On the other side, Forest have endured a trying season, lingering perilously above the relegation zone and flirting with trouble after a run of poor results, including a loss to Brighton & Hove Albion last time out. The Midlands outfit’s defensive frailties have been exposed repeatedly, conceding emphatically in recent trips to face the Citizens and struggling to find consistency under new boss Vítor Pereira.
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Semenyo; Marmoush
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
Prediction: Man City 2-0 Nottingham Forest