Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City – Betting Preview

When you talk about expectations, you really can’t find two clubs in the top flight who have had more polar opposite seasons. Nottingham Forest were probably expecting to be in the midst of another relegation scrap, whereas Manchester City were looking to extend their incredible run in recent seasons by once again claiming the Premier League title. Yet, here we are.

Forest are currently riding high to the point where they are one of the leading contenders to qualify for the Champions League next season. No, we aren’t kidding. Even if they don’t manage to finish in the top four, what they’ve done has been so remarkable that it’s hard not to sit back and marvel at the work being done by Nuno Espirito Santo.

On the flip side, simply finishing in the top four will be seen as the minimum requirement for Manchester City. Yes, they’re still in the mix when it comes to winning the FA Cup, but Pep Guardiola knows the importance of vaulting up the table and ensuring that they’re playing in Europe’s most elite competition next season.

So, with this game taking place at the City Ground, there’s a whole lot to think about. Forest have been absolutely electric in front of their own fans and when you’ve got a unit like City coming to town, they’ll want to take that to the next level.

As for City, there’s no way on this planet that they aren’t going to be feeling a certain amount of pressure – and that goes for every single game they’re involved in between now and the end of the campaign.

Whether you’re into cheap FC 25 points or sports betting, there’s no way of denying that this is one to keep and eye on.

For Forest, it’s all about showing confidence from the first whistle and really attacking with intent. They know that they belong in games of this magnitude, but they still can’t allow City to get into any kind of rhythm. Sure, they may not have a lot of the ball, but it’s what they do with the possession they have that really matters the most.

Interestingly, we do think City are probably going to get on the scoresheet first – but we don’t expect them to go on to cruise to victory. So long as Forest say hungry and aggressive, there’s every chance that they can work their way back into the game. They can exploit the visitors through the middle, they can get physical, and we think they can outwork them down the flanks, too.

We’re going to go out on a limb here and say that both teams will walk away from this clash with a point. The hosts are probably going to be a lot happier about it than Pep’s men, but at this point, can anyone really be all too surprised?

The likes of Forest and Bournemouth are really ripping up the rulebook this year. They’re proving that anyone can make a run if they really put it all together, and that’s what is bringing back that exciting unpredictability in this year’s Premier League.

Official prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Manchester City