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Two clubs at opposite ends of the table face off in Saturday evening’s live English Premier League match.
Nottingham Forest start round 10 in the relegation zone, one point above bottom club Sunderland. A long losing streak suggests another difficult outing.
Manchester City arrive in second place, but the Cityzens have lost each of their last two games at this level. A third would dent their chances of wrestling the title back from defending champions Arsenal next year.
Will the Tricky Trees use home advantage to collect a much-needed three points? Perhaps you expect Man City to make a timely return to winning ways.
Keep reading as experienced Premier League betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his Nottingham Forest vs Man City predictions.
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Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City: Betting tips
Manchester City win @ 4/6 (bet365)
Over 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (bet365)
Foden score or assist @ 11/10 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Result - Manchester City win
I waste no time picking sides, taking Manchester City to beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The odds on an away win are better than I expected, making it an easy pick.
City enter on the back of two defeats: a 2-1 at Villa Park and a 1-0 at home to Brighton. The trip to West Bridgford comes at the right time for Enzo Maresca’s men.
Man City have lost only one of their last nine league meetings with Saturday’s opponents, winning five and drawing the other three. The stats also show they’re chasing consecutive away wins over Forest for the first time since 1925.
The Tricky Trees are winless in five league games, taking only one of the last 15 points available.
Oliver Glasner’s men scored a surprise 2-1 win at Villa Park, but have since lost 1-0 to Coventry, 3-1 at Crystal Palace, and 1-0 versus Arsenal. They ended 1-1 with Ipswich, but were beaten 2-0 at the Brentford Community Stadium last Saturday.
It’s worth noting that, in their five-game winless streak, Forest have lost twice at home, 1-0 to both Premier League champions Arsenal and Coventry City. But there’s more.
Opta Stats show that Nottingham Forest have failed to score in all four of their home league matches. That run includes three 1-0 defeats and a goalless draw. They now face a Man City side with 20 goals in nine games, the second-highest total behind Brighton on 24.
Lastly, Man City hold the highest expected shots total (18.3) and the highest average xG per shot (0.13) of any top-flight team in 2026/27.
Tip: Manchester City win @ 4/6 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Man City beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday evening, you’ll beat the bookies and make a profit.
Total goals - Over 2.5
My second bet to consider in Nottinghamshire is that the match will produce more than two goals.
You’ll find this one on the bet365 app and site under Nottingham Forest vs Man City total goals. Traders set the bar at 2.5 goals, and you must predict whether the match will end with fewer than three goals or more than two.
Checking the head-to-head stats on the Flashscore app shows that a bet on over 2.5 goals landed in both meetings last term. Man City won 2-1 here just after Christmas, thanks to goals from Reijnders and Cherki.
The rivals shared four goals in the most recent match, with Forest leaving the Etihad Stadium with a point following a 2-2 finish.
Going back further, a bet on over 2.5 goals paid out in three of the last five renewals of this fixture, and I expect more of the same.
The visitors played seven games in three competitions last month. Man City won 3-0 at Anfield, lost 4-2 at home to PSG, and beat Ipswich 3-2. They then thumped AEK Athens 5-1, lost 2-1 at Villa Park, drew 2-2 with Brighton in the League Cup, and lost 1-0 to the same side in this competition.
When backing over 2.5 goals, you’re not interested in which team wins or which players score. A 3-0 home win is just as good as a 2-2 draw or a 2-1 away win. You’re counting goals here, needing at least three from both teams combined.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/13 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City must end with more than two goals scored by both teams combined. Place the bet, sit back, and cheer every attack.
Score or assist - Foden
Lastly, I’m picking Manchester City’s Phil Foden to score or assist on Saturday evening in front of the live TV cameras.
Foden has made 11 appearances for City so far this season, scoring four goals. He got off the mark in a 3-2 win over Ipswich Town in October, just four days after being sent off in the Manchester Derby.
Foden claimed a hat-trick in a stunning Champions League win over AEK Athens, netting three of his employer’s five goals that evening.
In addition to his four goals, Phil provided an assist for Kovacic’s goal in the League Cup, and another against Athens in a Man of the Match performance.
You’ll get an eye-catching 11/5 on Foden to score, but I’m happy with the score or assist market. Phil must add to his four goals this season or set up a teammate to score. Your bet is also live for the entire time he’s on the pitch.
Tip: Foden to score or assist @ 11/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: The winning team isn’t important when following this prediction. You need Phil Foden to score for Man City or get an assist at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City: Betting odds
Nottingham Forest win @ 10/3 (bet365)
Manchester City win @ 4/6 (bet365)
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