Round 10
Nottingham Forest
NOT
7/11/2026
17:30
Manchester City
MCI
- Venue
- City Ground
- Referee
- Samuel Barrott
Where to Watch Nottingham Forest v Manchester City: TV and online streams
The battle for Premier League supremacy, or rather, survival, kicks off at 5:30pm GMT on Saturday, November 7 at the historic City Ground. Fans across the UK can catch every moment live on Sky Sports, while our American audience can tune into NBC Sports at 12:30pm ET.
For a comprehensive list of Premier League international broadcasters, consult your local listings – you won’t want to miss this one!
Premier League Showdown: City’s Quest for Redemption Meets Forest’s Fight for Survival
The Premier League season, barely ten rounds deep, has already served up its fair share of drama, but few narratives are as compelling as the one unfolding around Manchester City. After a blistering start that saw them dismantle all competition in their first seven games, Enzo Maresca’s seemingly invincible sky-blue machine has hit an unprecedented speed bump. Back-to-back league defeats to Aston Villa and Brighton – their first such run since March 2016 – have sent shockwaves through the title race and raised a crucial question: Is this a blip, or have the champions become vulnerable?
The trip to the City Ground on Saturday evening isn’t just another fixture; it’s a litmus test. A morale-boosting Champions League win in Leipzig, sealed by the irrepressible Erling Haaland from a pinpoint Elliot Anderson cross, might have steadied the ship, but the Premier League demands a different kind of steel. City simply cannot afford to lose three league games in a row. The pressure is immense, not just on the players, but on Maresca himself to prove his tactical acumen in navigating this challenging patch.
Adding an electrifying layer of intrigue to this encounter is the return of Elliot Anderson to his old stomping ground. The midfielder, whose colossal £116 million move to City from Forest sent ripples through the transfer market, will step onto the City Ground pitch for the first time since his departure. City boss Enzo Maresca rightly anticipates a “good reception” for a player who, through his talent and the significant transfer fee, left an indelible mark on his former club. But sentimentality aside, Anderson’s burgeoning influence in City’s midfield, particularly his assist for Haaland in Leipzig, underscores his critical role in Maresca’s plans. He’s not just a prodigal son; he’s a vital cog in the City engine room, and his performance will be under intense scrutiny.
While City grapples with an uncharacteristic dip, Nottingham Forest faces a crisis of a different magnitude. Oliver Glasner’s side is in a desperate search for goals, a problem that has plagued them relentlessly this season. The statistics paint a stark picture: 152 shots taken, the second-most in the league, generating a respectable 14.34 expected goals (xG). Yet, their actual goal tally stands at a paltry six, the fewest in the division, with an abysmal 4% shot conversion rate. This isn’t just bad luck; it’s a systemic failure to find the back of the net, leaving Glasner under immense pressure. Forest have secured only one Premier League win this season and have lost four of their last five, prompting a “no compromises” team meeting – a clear sign of a manager demanding immediate, tangible improvement. How they will translate this urgent demand into goals against arguably the league’s strongest defence remains the overarching question.
Historically, City holds the upper hand, having won five of the last seven meetings against Forest. But the City Ground, under the lights, can be a cauldron of passion, and Forest will be banking on that energy to defy the odds and kickstart their season. This isn’t just a football match; it’s a clash of narratives, a testament to the unpredictable drama of the Premier League.
Premier League Table
At this crucial juncture, every point matters. For Manchester City, reclaiming their top spot and reasserting dominance is paramount. For Nottingham Forest, escaping the relegation mire and building momentum is a matter of survival. The current standings reflect a tight race, with City’s recent stumbles allowing rivals to close in, while Forest desperately claw for every inch of daylight above the drop zone.
- Position1, 2, 3, 4 : Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Position5 : Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Position18, 19, 20 : Relegation – Championship
Team News & Tactical Set-Up
Forest’s injury woes continue to plague Oliver Glasner’s squad depth. While Nicolò Savona is back in training, a return to match fitness for this critical fixture seems unlikely. Nicolás Domínguez remains a doubt with a nagging knock, and Igor Jesus is still battling a calf problem, further limiting Glasner’s midfield and attacking options. These absences exacerbate Forest’s goal-scoring crisis, forcing Glasner to rely heavily on the creativity of Gibbs-White and Ndoye to carve out chances for Delap.
For Manchester City, the injury list is thankfully far shorter, with Antoine Semenyo the only significant absentee, not expected back until mid-December. This allows Enzo Maresca the luxury of selecting from an almost full-strength squad. After rotating slightly for the Champions League clash in Leipzig – bringing in Abdukodir Khusanov for Rúben Dias and starting Phil Foden on the left before Jérémy Doku’s impactful introduction – Maresca is fully expected to revert to his strongest XI. This likely means the return of powerhouse Rúben Dias to marshall the defence alongside Guéhi, and a dynamic attacking quartet of Foden, Cherki, Doku, and the ever-lethal Haaland up front. The midfield battle, featuring the returning Anderson against McAtee and Schlager, will be crucial in dictating the tempo and flow of the game.
Expected line-ups for Nottingham Forest v Manchester City
Nottingham Forest:Sels; Cunha, Milenković, Murillo; Aina, McAtee, Schlager, Williams; Ndoye, Gibbs-White; Delap
Manchester City:Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernández; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Recent Form & Stats: The Defining Numbers
- Manchester City’s remarkable 24-game scoring streak in the Premier League came to an abrupt end against Brighton last weekend, highlighting their recent struggles in front of goal.
- Not since February/March 2016 under Manuel Pellegrini have Manchester City lost three Premier League games in a row. This stat looms large over Maresca’s side.
- City won the corresponding game last season 2-1, a result they will be desperate to replicate.
- Forest’s inability to convert chances is stark: they have failed to score in five of their nine Premier League games this season.
Game Highlights: A Gritty Battle at the City Ground
The City Ground faithful, sensing the fragility of the champions, roared their team on from the first whistle. Forest, emboldened by Glasner’s “no compromises” mandate, started with a surprising intensity, pressing City high and denying them their usual rhythm. Murillo and Milenković formed a formidable wall at the back, repelling early City probes with robust clearances and disciplined positioning. The atmosphere was electric, with every Forest tackle met by thunderous applause.
City, however, are not easily rattled. Gradually, their superior individual quality began to tell. Elliot Anderson, a figure of calm amid the storm, dictated play from deep, his passes incisive and his movement intelligent. In the 28th minute, a moment of magic broke the deadlock. Anderson, receiving the ball just outside the box, threaded an exquisite pass between two Forest defenders, finding Jérémy Doku bursting into space on the left. Doku’s low, driven cross evaded Cunha but found the predatory **Erling Haaland** lurking at the back post. The Norwegian ghosted in unmarked to tap home, silencing the home crowd and giving City a crucial 1-0 lead. It was a classic City move, patiently built and ruthlessly finished.
Forest responded with spirit. Just before halftime, Morgan Gibbs-White orchestrated their best chance, weaving past two City midfielders before unleashing a fierce shot from 20 yards that forced a magnificent diving save from Donnarumma. Delap also came close, connecting with a cross from Aina, but his header drifted just wide. The half ended with City narrowly ahead, Forest showing heart but still lacking the clinical edge.
The second half saw City assert more control, though Forest continued to defend with admirable resilience. Glasner’s side looked to counter, but their final ball often lacked precision, a recurring theme of their season. Donnarumma, while not overly busy, commanded his area with authority. In the 72nd minute, City sealed the contest. A quick turnover saw Foden release Doku down the left again. This time, Doku opted to cut inside, dancing past Cunha before unleashing a powerful, curling shot that crashed off the post. The rebound fell kindly to a surging **Phil Foden**, who calmly slotted it into the empty net, making it 2-0. The goal deflated Forest, and though they battled until the end, they couldn’t find a way past a resolute City defence.
Prediction for Nottingham Forest v Manchester City
Forest’s struggles in front of goal are a genuine concern, and while Oliver Glasner’s “no compromises” approach will undoubtedly instil greater defensive discipline and effort, you cannot win games without scoring. Their inability to convert chances, despite decent build-up play, is precisely the kind of weakness a team like Manchester City will exploit. The champions, even during a rare wobble, possess an attacking arsenal that few can contain, let alone stop.
City’s Champions League victory would have provided the necessary morale boost, and Maresca’s intention to revert to his strongest side signals a clear intent to halt the league slide immediately. With the likes of Haaland rediscovering his scoring touch and Anderson’s emotional return adding extra motivation, City are simply too potent. Expect a professional performance from the visitors, one where their quality shines through in critical moments. While Forest will battle admirably, their attacking woes against a determined City defence will ultimately prove their undoing.
Nottingham Forest
0 – 2
Manchester City