Man City Starting XI vs Nottingham Forest: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest: Key Team News Ahead of FA Cup Semi-Final

Manchester City and Nottingham Forest are gearing up for a crucial FA Cup semi-final clash at Wembley this Sunday, with both sides navigating injury concerns and last-minute fitness tests. Pep Guardiola’s side, hoping to salvage silverware from what has been a disappointing season by their high standards, face a Forest team eager to make history in their first semi-final appearance since 1991.

Ederson Injury Latest and Goalkeeper Situation

One of the major talking points ahead of Manchester City’s encounter with Nottingham Forest is the fitness of first-choice goalkeeper Ederson. The Brazilian international suffered a recurring groin injury during City’s 5-2 Premier League win over Crystal Palace and subsequently missed the victories over Everton and Aston Villa.

Photo IMAGO

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola admitted: “We’ll see. Eddie is coming back training a little bit. But I don’t know if he’ll be ready for this game, hopefully the next one.” Stefan Ortega, who has filled in admirably in Ederson’s absence, is poised to start again, with veteran Scott Carson providing backup.

Positive Updates on Haaland and Rodri

The Manchester City boss also offered encouraging news regarding two of his most influential players, Erling Haaland and Rodri, both of whom have been battling serious injuries. Haaland has been sidelined with an ankle problem sustained during the FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. Guardiola revealed: “He feels better. I said before I don’t know when. It’s not a comfortable injury. You have some twist in your ankle and then taping. It’s not comfortable. He’s not a small guy but he’s getting better step by step. Still, he doesn’t train with the team but we will see how he does.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Rodri, working back from an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered against Arsenal in September, is making steady progress. Guardiola explained: “Every training session he does with us, he does well. But I don’t know. Rodri wants [to play] but the doctor will have to say ‘Pep you have green light to give him minutes.’ I want to rely on the doctors in that case.”

Defenders Remain Absent Ahead of Wembley Test

Manchester City are likely to be without defensive stalwarts John Stones and Nathan Ake, despite both stepping up their recoveries from thigh and foot injuries respectively. Neither featured in the midweek Premier League victory over Aston Villa, but encouragingly, no new injury issues were reported from that match.

Photo: IMAGO

City’s depth will be tested again, with players like Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol expected to anchor the backline. Youngsters such as O’Reilly and Gonzalez may also play key roles in ensuring City’s place in yet another FA Cup final.

Nottingham Forest Fitness Checks and Predicted Lineups

Nottingham Forest, currently sitting just one point behind Manchester City in the Premier League but with a game in hand, are also sweating on the fitness of key players. Ola Aina, Eric da Silva Moreira, and Jota Silva are all being assessed ahead of Forest’s biggest match in over three decades.

Predicted Manchester City XI: Ortega, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Gonzalez, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Silva, Savinho, Marmoush.

Injured: Rodri, Haaland, Stones, AkeDoubtful: Ederson

The stakes could not be higher at Wembley, with Manchester City determined to avoid a trophyless season and Nottingham Forest daring to dream of a famous FA Cup upset. Kick-off is at 4:30pm BST on Sunday, April 27, 2025, with live coverage available on ITV1.