Premier League 2025-2026: Nottingham Forest-Manchester City, the likely lineups

Manchester City close out their 2025 with a tricky trip to Nottingham, where they will face a Forest side in the midst of a salvation struggle on Saturday at 12:30 pm. The Mancunians arrive at Saturday’s 1:30 p.m. Italian time match in a scintillating state of form: five consecutive Premier League victories, a Carabao Cup semifinal won and a heavyweight success on Real Madrid’s pitch in the Champions League. The run-up to Arsenal is wide open, but before turning the page and thinking about the new year, Guardiola’s team will have to overcome an opponent that, while struggling, has already shown it can create problems for the big boys.

Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest comes to the challenge with several heavy absences and a league table that allows no distractions. The knockout against Fulham left the Tricky Trees in fourth’last place, and Chris Wood&#8217s prolonged absence continues to weigh on their offensive effectiveness, forcing Igor Jesus to hold up the forward department alone. Midfield will still be missing Sangaré, who is committed to the African Cup of Nations along with Boly, while Douglas Luiz and Elliot Anderson are expected to make up the central hinge. The return of Sels offers an important choice between the posts, in defense Aina and Yates remain unavailable: there will be Savona from 1′.

On the opposite front, Guardiola has to deal with a crowded infirmary and the absences of Marmoush and Ait-Nouri, called up for the African Cup of Nations. Bobb, Kovacic, Rodri and Doku will not return until 2026, while John Stones remains in doubt and will be evaluated only at the’last. Despite the defections, City has found a brilliant balance thanks to the’impact of Nico, Reijnders and Cherki, all candidates for a new starting jersey. Up front, Haaland will lead the’attack in the 4-1-4-1.

Probable lineups

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Luiz, Anderson; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus. All. Dyche.

Manchester City (4-1-4-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Nico; Silva, Cherki, Foden, Reijnders; Haaland. All. Guardiola.