Our EPL prediction is a 2–0 Manchester City win at The City Ground, where 19th-placed Forest desperately need points. City arrive after a 1–0 home loss to Brighton, while Forest are winless in five following a 1–1 draw with Ipswich. Enzo Maresca’s patient possession meets Oliver Glasner’s compact 3-4-2-1, and City’s quality should still tell, despite those back-to-back domestic defeats.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Match Details at a Glance
| Match Detail | Information |
| Match | Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City |
| Venue | The City Ground |
| Date | November 7, 2026 |
| Time | 11:30 PM (BDT) / 11:00 PM (INR) |
| Broadcast & Live Streaming | Click here to watch the Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City live on Sports Live Hub (SLH) |
Injury News and Suspensions
Nottingham Forest
Forest have three fitness concerns. Nicolás Dominguez has a knock and is about a week away, while Nicolò Savona (knee) and Igor Jesus (calf) are both due back in early November 2026, so remain doubtful. Glasner will hope the returns arrive swiftly, as his struggling side can ill afford absences.
Manchester City
City have one confirmed absentee. Antoine Semenyo is sidelined with a leg injury and is not expected back until mid-December 2026. No other injuries or suspensions have been listed, so Maresca should have a largely full-strength squad available. The main concern is concentration rather than fitness, given recent individual lapses.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Head-to-Head Records
| Head-to-Head | Record |
| Matches Played | 109 |
| Nottingham Forest Won | 34 |
| Manchester City Won | 46 |
| Tied | 29 |
| First-ever Fixture | December 16, 1899 |
| Most-recent Fixture | March 4, 2026 |
Form Guide
Nottingham Forest
Forest are in a difficult spell, sitting 19th and winless in five after a 2–0 defeat at Brentford and a 1–1 draw with Ipswich. Their league-low six goals show a lack of cutting edge, and mental lapses have cost points from winning positions. Delap leads the attack, Gibbs-White drives midfield, Cunha and Murillo anchor defence, while Sels protects the goal. Glasner demanded immediate improvement after a “no compromises” team meeting.
Manchester City
Maresca made history by winning his first seven games in charge, but City now arrive on the heels of back-to-back domestic defeats: 2–1 at Aston Villa and 1–0 at home to Brighton. They remain right at the top of the table. Haaland leads the line, Doku drives midfield, Nunes steadies the defence, and Donnarumma protects the goal. Silly goals and lapses in concentration against low crosses have plagued their dip.
Key Battles
Murillo vs Haaland
Based on the players available, a likely key duel is Murillo against Haaland. Murillo is a core part of Forest’s defensive spine, a highly rated anchor tasked with holding Glasner’s compact shape. His role is to deny Haaland space and stand firm when City’s possession finally squeezes the hosts deep.
Haaland is City’s key attacker, the penalty-box focal point for Maresca’s patient possession. His job is to punish Forest’s mental lapses and slow structural transitions. If Murillo cannot contain him, the hosts’ league-low six goals will matter far less than the goals they concede, which is a rather grim equation.
Gibbs-White vs Fernández
Based on the players available, a likely key duel is Gibbs-White against Fernández. Gibbs-White is Forest’s key midfielder, bringing individual skill and raw pace to the counter-attack. He must carry the ball past City’s press and find Delap or Ndoye. If he is quiet, the home side’s counters quickly stall.
Fernández is one of City’s technical midfielders, tasked with slicing vertical channels after Maresca’s side bait the press. His passing turns patient possession into danger. If he dictates tempo, Forest chase shadows; if Gibbs-White disrupts him, the hosts might finally enjoy a few precious moments of hope on the counter.
Tactical Outlook
Glasner has historically used a fluid 3-4-2-1, condensing the pitch and relying on a defensive spine anchored by Murillo and a reinforced midfield. They look to hit on the counter with raw pace and individual skill. The problem is slow structural transitions and mental lapses, which have cost points from winning positions, alongside a distinct absence of finishing up front.
Maresca’s City dominate through extreme periods of patient possession, baiting the opposition press deep before Fernández and company slice vertical channels. They also counter-press explosively high up the pitch. The balance is delicate: finding the right midfield engine without exposing the back line remains a work in progress, and low, dangerous crosses have tested concentration, giving Forest’s pace a route.
Possible Playing Squad
Nottingham Forest XI:
Sels (GK), Cunha, Milenković, Murillo, Aina, McAtee, Schlager, Williams, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Delap
Manchester City XI:
Donnarumma (GK), Haaland, Doku, Fernández, Ndiaye, Anderson, Bouaddi, Gvardiol, Dias, Khusanov, Nunes
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Match Prediction
Our today’s match prediction favours Manchester City. Maresca’s patient possession and Haaland’s threat should overwhelm a Forest side with a league-low six goals and fragile transitions. City’s own lapses keep the hosts alive for a while, but quality should prevail, with Glasner’s compact shape likely buckling eventually after the break.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Score Prediction
Delap offers the hosts a rare outlet, but Haaland’s threat and Doku’s creativity give the visitors a clear, deserved edge against a goal-shy Forest side.
We expect Nottingham Forest 0–2 Manchester City, as Maresca’s possession and Haaland’s threat outclass a goal-shy side. Can Glasner’s “no compromises” message spark a shock, or will City bounce back? Follow us for updates, stats, and post-match analysis, and keep checking back for every football match prediction before kickoff.
FAQ: Premier League 2026/27
Who is Manchester City’s key attacking player against Forest?
Haaland is the key attacking player for Manchester City.
Who is Nottingham Forest’s key attacking player in this match?
Delap is the key attacking player for Nottingham Forest.
Who is the expected goalkeeper for Manchester City at The City Ground?
Donnarumma is expected to start in goal for Manchester City.
Disclaimer: This Premier League Prediction is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.
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