By Graham Ruthven
Nottingham Forest might add to Metropolis’s current struggles. Not solely have Nuno Espírito Santo’s workforce emerged as one of many shock packages of this season, at present sitting sixth within the desk, they may have the tactical profile to show Manchester Metropolis as many different groups have in current weeks.
Forest are at their greatest once they have open area to burst into on the counter assault with Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White all able to deciding a match.
Metropolis may have the expertise benefit on the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, however with Forest famend for being troublesome to interrupt down one other difficult check awaits. There’s no assure seven video games with no win received’t change into eight.
Key gamers
Rúben Dias’ return from harm was one optimistic of Sunday’s loss to Liverpool. The hope for Metropolis is that the presence of the Portuguese centre again will assist regular the defence of the Premier League champions. He might show integral to any restoration towards Forest.
Erling Haaland has failed to attain in his final two league outings, representing a relative drought for the Norwegian striker. Nonetheless, Haaland shall be a risk towards a Forest facet which have did not maintain a clear sheet of their final 4 away video games within the Premier League.
Kevin de Bruyne could possibly be handed a begin in an try to present Manchester Metropolis extra creativity and guile on the ball. The Belgian hasn’t began a league match for the reason that victory over Brentford in mid-September.
Solely Haaland and Mohamed Salah have scored extra Premier League objectives this season than Chris Wooden who netted the winner towards Ipswich City in his final outing.
In Nikola Milenković and Murillo, Nottingham Forest boast one of many strongest defensive pairings within the division proper now. Each centre backs should be in high type to maintain Metropolis at bay regardless of their well-documented current struggles.
Staff information
Rodri and Mateo Kovačić remained unavailable for Manchester Metropolis that means Guardiola will possible need to depend on the likes of İlkay Gündoğan, Rico Lewis and Bernardo Silva within the centre of midfield towards Nottingham Forest.
John Stones missed Sunday’s journey to Merseyside to face Liverpool and shall be assessed earlier than Wednesday’s dwelling match on the Etihad Stadium. Oscar Bobb nonetheless isn’t able to return to first workforce motion.
Danilo and Ibrahim Sangaré are each anticipated to overlook Nottingham Forest’s match towards the defending Premier League champions on account of harm, however Nuno has an in any other case absolutely match squad to select from.
Jota Silva might maintain his place within the beginning lineup over Elanga after catching the attention within the slim victory over Ipswich. Elliott Anderson is one other who might begin having impressed lately in central midfield.
Prediction
One week on from the Champions League debacle towards Feyenoord, might Wednesday be the day that the poor run involves an finish? Man Metropolis 2-1 Nottingham Forest
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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