Premier League: City Must Maintain Focus in Visit to Forest

Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City

Manchester City are back on top of the Premier League, and they’re keen to stay there for the rest of the 2022-23 season.

The Sky Blues defeated the Gunners convincingly last night, and they’ve overtaken them despite having equal points. So, a win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday could help them maintain their advantage.

Pep Guardiola and co. cannot afford to take Nottingham Forest for granted since the hosts have improved. Nottingham Forest’s recent Premier League 2023 results have been better compared to earlier this season.

Steve Cooper’s side are now in 14th place with 24 points, and their priority is to steer clear of the relegation zone. Nottingham Forest are seeking vengeance after their humiliating loss to Manchester City in their first meeting earlier this season.

Talking Points

Manchester City back in business

Arsenal surprised everyone when they were on top of the Premier League for much of this season, but their lead has now disappeared, thanks to Manchester City.

The Sky Blues have to be commended for their resolve. Amidst their off-pitch problems, they let their game do the talking, and they might run away with the Premiership yet again.

Now, the challenge for Pep Guardiola is how to manage his squad since they have so many games to cover in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.

Manchester City are scheduled to take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League Round of 16 five days after this game against Nottingham Forest, with the second leg on March 14^th, while they’ll visit Bristol City on March 1^st in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Another huge game on their schedule is the one against Newcastle on March 4^th. The Magpies are one of the best defencive teams this season, so they’re going to give the Sky Blues all they can handle.

The good news for Pep Guardiola is that he has enough at his disposal, with only John Stones as their injured player. Stones picked up a thigh injury and is not expected to be available until the start of March.

Nottingham Forest compromised at the back

Steve Cooper is down to just two healthy centre-backs (Felipe and Joe Worrall), which is not the type of news that they need ahead of their match against Manchester City.

Scott McKenna and Willy Boly had to be subbed off in the opening stages of their 2-0 loss against Fulham on Saturday. It was revealed that both McKenna and Boly suffered hamstring injuries, so they are going to be out for at least six weeks.

It’s tough for Nottingham Forest since they’re one of the worst defencive teams in the league, having already conceded 37 goals thus far.

They haven’t been prolific on the other side of the pitch either, as they’ve only managed one goal so far this month. Brennan Johnson is doing his part, but guys like Taiwo Awoniyi, Sam Surridge, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Jesse Lingard need to produce as well.

History

Nottingham Forest are hosting Manchester City in a league match for the first time since October 2001, and the first time in English top-flight since September 1995.

Steve Cooper’s men have been unbeaten in seven consecutive home games since losing three straight at the City Ground in August and September (W4, D3), their longest undefeated run at home in the top-flight since a 20-game stretch between February 1995 and January 1996.

Manchester City have won their last nine league matches against newly promoted sides since losing 2-1 to Leeds United in April 2021. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest have lost their last seven league matches against the defending champions by a whopping aggregate tally of 29-3.

The Sky Blues destroyed Forest during their last encounter in September with a 6-0 scoreline, as Erling Haaland (hat-trick), Julian Alvarez (brace), and Joao Cancelo all found the back of the net.

Betting Tip

The obvious choice is to back Manchester City this weekend. The current table leaders are priced to win at 1.30, while Nottingham Forest are the huge underdogs at 9.00, and a draw is at 5.20 in the 1X2 market.

A loss or a draw is going to be a huge blow for Manchester City because Arsenal can reclaim their lead at the table with a game in hand.

The Gunners are favoured by the SBOTOP Premier League 2023 odds in their next seven league matches against Aston Villa, Leicester City, Everton, Bournemouth, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Leeds United, so the Sky Blues must take care of business.

 

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