Manchester City, the defending Premier League champions and titlists in four of the last five seasons, have spent most of this season out of pole position in the table.
However that all changed when they beat Arsenal in midweek. Now they’re back on top, albeit only slightly via point differential. It’s highly unlikely they’ll drop points in their next clash, when they visit lower table Nottingham Forest on Saturday. So without further ado, let’s preview.
Manchester City at Nottingham Forest FYIs
Kick off: 7:45pm, Saturday Feb 18, City Ground
PL Position: Man City 1st, 51 pts Nottingham Forest 14th, 24pts
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Form Guide: Man City WWLWW Nottingham Forest LWDWW
Google Result Probability: Man City 75% Nottingham Forest 9% Draw 16%
Team News for Both Sides
Next to nothing to say in regards to City, as John Stones (thigh/hamstring injury) remains out. Flipping over to Forest, ex Manchester United man Jesse Lingard (knee) and Ryan Yates (illness) are doubts.
However, their list of confirmed injury absentees is excessively long, and it goes like this: Giulian Biancone (knee), Omar Richards (calf), Taiwo Awoniyi (groin), Dean Henderson (thigh), Moussa Niakhate (thigh), Scott McKenna (thigh) and Willy Boly (thigh).
So that is that!
Manchester City Starting XI Prediction vs Nottingham Forest
Ederson; Silva, Dias, Laporte, Ake; Gundogan, De Bruyne; Foden, Alvarez, Mahrez; Haaland
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.