Nottingham Forest vs Man City: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

A thrilling FA Cup semi-final is in store on Sunday afternoon as seven-time winners Manchester City take on Nottingham Forest.

It's been a special campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo's Forest, one which could be capped off by FA Cup glory and a place in next season's Champions League. A 1-0 victory over City in March proved significant and they'll hope to do another number on Pep Guardiola's side this weekend.

After returning to winning ways in the Premier League on Monday night at Spurs, Forest are now aiming to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1991.

City are very familiar with Wembley days out and have been perennial semi-finalists under Guardiola's watch. They've won the competition twice since the Spaniard took over and could replicate Chelsea's feat of reaching three successive finals, which they achieved between 2020 and 2022.

City head into the contest off the back of a huge Premier League win over Aston Villa in midweek.

Here's 90min's preview of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.

What time does Nottingham Forest vs Man City kick-off?

Nottingham Forest vs Man City head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Man City on TV - UK and US

Nottingham Forest team news

Ola Aina is on the mend / Alex Pantling/GettyImages

Ola Aina is said to have made progress in his recovery from a calf injury which threatened to end his season. The full-back is expected to make his return in the coming weeks, but Sunday's semi-final will arrive too soon.

Thus, we should see Neco Williams start at right-back and Alex Moreno occupy the opposite flank. Nuno also has the option of deploying a back three if necessary.

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ryan Yates could return to the Forest XI, with Anthony Elanga leading the line with top scorer Chris Wood.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Man City

Forest predicted lineup vs Man City (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Man City team news

Stefan Ortega will start in goal for City on Sunday / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages

Guardiola is unlikely to tinker too much from Tuesday's starting XI, with the manager confirming that Ederson and Erling Haaland are still out injured. Stefan Ortega will start between the posts on Sunday.

John Stones and Nathan Ake are both absent from City's defence, although Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol have struck up an impressive centre-back partnership in recent weeks. Nico O'Reilly has blossomed into a star at left-back.

Rodri will not play a part in City's remaining fixtures, while Phil Foden has struggled for starts as of late. Jeremy Doku could work his way back into the team after setting up Matheus Nunes' winner against Villa.

Man City predicted lineup vs Forest (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly; Gonzalez, Gundogan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Doku; Marmoush.

Nottingham Forest vs Man City score prediction

The key for City is not falling behind early doors. Nuno's side have scored the first goal in more Premier League games than anyone else this season, and they've been mightily effective at keeping opponents at bay when in front.

However, things will be different away from the City Ground, and this grand occasion has the potential to get the better of this team. While they'll be confident of beating City on Sunday, the Cityzens' knowhow and experience of such games may prove decisive when it's all said and done.