A crucial fixture awaits Manchester City against Nottingham Forest this weekend | OneFootball

Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest this weekend in a crucial Premier League fixture. A look at the Premier League table shows just how crucial the match is for both teams. Nottingham Forest sit third on the table on 48 points after 27 games. Pep Guardiola’s side sits fourth on 47 points after playing the same amount of games. In the battle to secure Champions League football for next season Saturday’s match is pivotal for both teams. Based on how Nottingham Forest has performed this season, a tough test awaits Pep Guardiola’s side.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has been the surprise packet of the 24/25 season. They have defied expectations to put themselves firmly in the race for Champions League football. They are a team that is built to get at Manchester City’s high defensive line with their pace out wide through Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi on the wings. With in-form striker Chris Wood up front, they are a well-rounded outfit. You add Morgan Gibbs-White in midfield and Murillo at the back, just to name two more players of quality, and you can see why they’ll pose such a tough test for Pep Guardiola’s side at the City Ground.

There, of course, is more quality in Nottingham Forest’s lineup. The way they play also makes them a tough proposition for Pep Guardiola’s side. They are strong at the back and the threat they pose on the break will test Manchester City. It will especially test City’s defence. The assumption is that Abdukodir Khusanov will likely partner Ruben Dias in the heart of Manchester City’s defence. Khusanov’s pace and power could be crucial to City’s chances of containing the power and strength of Chris Wood and helping curtail Forest’s strength on the break. Alongside the midfield battle that does loom as a crucial factor in Saturday’s match.

Manchester City have had a week to prepare for the threat of Nottingham Forest.

This week has seen Manchester City have a clear schedule. With no Champions League fixture to contend with Pep Guardiola and his team will have had a week to prepare for Saturday’s fixture at the City Ground. Manchester City should be well prepared for the challenge posed by Nottingham Forest but containing them is another challenge entirely.

Saturday’s fixture at the City Ground could be crucial in the race to secure Champions League football for next season. If Manchester City can pick up all three points they’ll leapfrog Forest into third on the Premier League table. But if Forest wins, they’ll seize the initiative in the race for Champions League football. The scene is set for a tantalising match at the City Ground. It will be a fascinating match to watch unfold based on how the two team’s play and the contrast in styles with how they go about their work.