Home vs Away preview, team news and prediction

Man City’s formidable form cannot be denied and is certainly causing a bit of tension in the Premier League title race with Arsenal

Manchester City’s formidable second-half-of-the-season surge shows no signs of slowing down, as the Sky Blues aim for a fifth consecutive Premier League victory when they host Nottingham Forest at the Etihad on Wednesday. Pep Guardiola’s side kept their title hopes firmly in their own hands with a narrow 1-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday, while Nottingham Forest suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Despite Erling Haaland’s absence due to a fresh injury, City didn’t miss a beat. New signing Antoine Semenyo stepped up in the Norwegian’s place, scoring the decisive goal against a revitalized Leeds at Elland Road. Semenyo latched onto Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross just before halftime, extending City’s impressive winning run.

City have now recorded six straight wins across all competitions, including four successive Premier League triumphs. They remain five points behind league leaders Arsenal but still have a game in hand over the Gunners. The Etihad has become a fortress once again; since November’s Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, City are unbeaten in 13 home matches, winning the last seven in a row.

Guardiola’s record on Wednesdays is particularly remarkable—he has won 24 of 26 Premier League home games played on this day, averaging an outstanding 2.85 points per match.

The odds are overwhelmingly in City’s favor, especially as Nottingham Forest, under their fourth manager of the season, Vitor Pereira, continue to struggle domestically. While Forest’s emphatic 3-0 win over Fenerbahce in the Europa League hinted at a possible revival, they have since lost three matches, including a 2-1 second-leg defeat to the Turkish side (which didn’t stop their European progress).

Forest were perhaps unlucky to lose 1-0 to Liverpool, but Brighton were deserved winners at the Amex, where returning goalkeeper Matz Sels prevented an even heavier defeat. With Tottenham and West Ham also failing to pick up points over the weekend, Forest remain 17th—two points above the relegation zone and two behind the Europa League champions, with 10 games left to play.

Pereira, who also endured a difficult spell with Wolves earlier in the season, is still searching for his first Premier League win of the 2025-26 campaign, having lost 10 of his 12 matches in charge. To make matters worse for Forest, they have lost their last three visits to the Etihad by a combined score of 11-0.

Man City vs Nott’m Forest Prediction

18+ | Gamble responsibly | gambleaware.org | Odds subject to change

Football Betting Offers

If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.

Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here.

Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only

READ MORE: Free Bets & Bookmaker Sign Up Offers

Gamble responsibly

Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.

We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.