Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the FA Cup match.
Given their respective English Premier League campaigns, it feels fitting that Nottingham Forest and Manchester City are meeting at this advanced stage of the FA Cup. This will be their second clash in under two months and the fourth meeting over the past year.
Nottingham Forest
Initially, the reigning champions held a clear advantage. On 28 April 2024, even away from home, Manchester City secured a 2:0 win. At the time, Nottingham Forest were still fighting to avoid relegation from the English Premier League. In December, Manchester City, enjoying a return to form, swept aside Nottingham Forest with a 3:0 result. On 29 December, Nottingham Forest climbed to third in the standings, a position they maintained until Matchweek 32. Along the way, they even edged Manchester City with a narrow 1:0 victory. The subsequent dip in form can be attributed to consecutive defeats. However, in the latest round of English Premier League fixtures, Nottingham Forest responded well with a 2:1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur, thanks to a goal from the returning Christopher Wood, who had just recovered from a minor injury.
Manchester City
Manchester City also managed a 2:1 victory in Matchweek 33, though it came with difficulty. They required a goal deep into stoppage time — the third of four added minutes — to see off Aston Villa, with full-back Matias Nunez scoring the winner. That same scoreline featured in their FA Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth. There was talk of a potential upset, with Bournemouth even taking the lead. However, the side couldn’t withstand Manchester City’s pressure, who registered 17 attempts on goal.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City Prediction
Even so, naming a clear favourite remains tricky. Nottingham Forest are more than capable of making this a challenging contest. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them progress or at least take the game beyond 90 minutes. It’s difficult to picture the hosts losing by more than a one-goal margin — they’re well-organised, and Matz Sels currently ranks among the English Premier League’s top three goalkeepers for saves (108).
