Preview: Forest vs. City kicks off Saturday in the Premier League
Nottingham Forest will be looking to bounce back from defeat against Fulham as they welcome Manchester City to the City Ground.
Inconsistency is still an issue for Sean Dyche
There is no doubt Sean Dyche has done a wonderful job in steading the ship at Forest since taking over in October.
Seven wins from his opening 13 matches in all competitions was a start most supporters could only dream of. The likes of Porto, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have all been victims of Dyche’s approach.
However, consistency has been an issue for the club. After the debut victory over Porto, Forest lost to Bournemouth a few days later.
Further losses have came against Brighton, Everton and Fulham in the top flight in recent weeks. While the club should have more than enough to survive under Dyche’s shrewd leadership, stringing three or four wins together in the New Year could be top of his wishlist.
Erling Haaland could fire City to glory this season
Many felt that Pep Guardiola and City had reached the end of an era after a trophyless 2024/25 campaign, but they are right in the mix for another Premier League title.
Erling Haaland fired 34 goals in all competitions last season, but it looks as though he is going to eclipse that this term.
Across his 23 matches so far, the Norwegian sensation has already bagged 25 goals, including 19 in the Premier League.
He ranks first in the top flight for shots on target per game (2.3) and for expected goals (16.1) this season as he continues to shatter records.
Across his six matches against Forest, Haaland has found the back of the net on five occasions.
You wouldn’t bet against him adding to that tally on Saturday afternoon as City aim to move to the top of the table with a victory.
Team news
Dyche will continue to be without the service of Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangaré, who are representing Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament over the festive period.
Elsewhere, Chris Wood, Ryan Yates and Ola Aina will all be out until early 2026 due to injuries.
Like Forest, City have two players on international duty. Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri are at AFCON with Egypt and Algeria respectively.
Oscar Bobb and Jérémy Doku are the latest injury victims of late, with both players expected back in a few weeks.
Mateo Kovačić, Rodri and John Stones will also miss the clash against Forest this Saturday.
Prediction
City head into this match on the back of a seven-game winning streak that dates back to the end of November.
After a stuttering start, it looks as though Guardiola and his men are peaking at precisely the right time and should secure all three points.
Dyche is no mug, however, and will set up his team to frustrate City. Unfortunately, this will be to no avail in the end: Nottingham Forest 1-3 Manchester City.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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