Sutton's predictions: Nottingham Forest v Man Citypublished at 18:51 7 March
18:51 7 March
This is a big game in the race for the Champions League places, and a tough one to call.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola rested a few players for last weekend's FA Cup win over Plymouth and Erling Haaland is fit again.
Nottingham Forest are at home, but their fans don't mind them sitting in and hitting teams on the break, which is what they will do here.
It wasn't so long ago people were lauding Forest, but they have not won in the Premier League since beating Brighton 7-0 on 1 February.
I don't think there is too much wrong with Nuno Espirito Santo's team, though. They are still in the FA Cup and, in the league, they have lost narrowly away to Fulham and Newcastle and then they drew with Arsenal, which seemed a decent result to me.
I had a look at Forest's remaining 11 league games and, in the reverse fixtures this season, they have won nine, drawn one and lost one.
That shows that if they keep their squad fit and available then they have got a great chance of a top-five finish, which will probably get them in the Champions League.
Their one defeat in that sequence above actually came when they were well beaten by Manchester City at the start of December.
It will be much closer this time but, although I hate to go against my boyhood club, I still fancy City to nick the points.
'Win against Man City would send out a statement'published at 18:35 7 March
18:35 7 March
On the latest episode BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Colin Fray and David Jackson spoke about the possibility of Nottingham Forest beating Manchester City at the City Ground on Saturday.
"If Forest could get a win, which is something that has evaded them since they returned to the Premier League, that sends out a bit of a statement about where they are," Fray said.
"I still think there is this thing around the country of people waiting for Forest to falter. This has been a very difficult run of fixtures that they have had and they're still in third place as they come into this next game in this tricky run against Manchester City.
"If they could get a win and extend their lead over City to four points, then I think that really sends out a statement about the frame of mind and the form that Forest are in.
"If it were to go the other way, Manchester City were to leave with the three points and push Forest down to fourth, then you would have a lot of people around the country saying: 'OK, let's see what Forest have got.'
"The City Ground has been good to Forest lately. They have no need to be underconfident in any way against City at the weekend.
"It's a great chance to lay down another marker at this stage in the season."
Forest Q&A: Are the back-ups good enough for the Premier League?published at 12:44 7 March
12:44 7 March
Colin Fray BBC Radio Nottingham reporter
Image source, Getty Images
In the final part of our Q&A with BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray, we take a look at the options Forest have to change games.
David asked: As soon as Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo were substituted against Ipswich in the FA Cup, the game changed. There was more urgency and Forest became quicker and had more intensity. Are Sangare and Danilo suited to the Premier League? I don't think so.
Colin answered: There are a couple of things here within the same question.
I don't doubt that the game changed after those substitutions, but remember that the two who came on were Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, and given their form this season, it is no surprise that everything improved in Forest's play.
The other thing to consider is that both substituted players are still on their way back from injury, and neither have had many minutes so far this season. Injury and illness has blighted Sangare's Premier League career so far, so I still do not think we have seen the best of him.
As for Danilo, he was impressive at times during the previous season and a half, and scored some crucial goals. Remember he is still young, too. At 23, there is plenty of football ahead of him.
Dave P asked: Taiwo Awoniyi is really struggling this season as back up for Chris Wood. Do you think Nuno Espirito Santo should see this as an opportunity to bring in some of the under-21s? I want to see what the next generation looks like on the big stage.
Colin answered: The issue here is that those younger players who might be able to step up are, in the main, out on loan gaining valuable experience in lower leagues.
In addition, it is a big ask these days to throw younger, inexperienced players in at Premier League level.
One of the consequences of moving out of the Championship, where there are perhaps more opportunities to give youth a chance, was that it will take an exceptional talent to be able to 'swim' rather than 'sink' when tried out at the very top level.
Listen to full commentary on every Nottingham Forest game, and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham.
Forest Q&A: How could getting into Europe change things?published at 11:20 7 March
11:20 7 March
Colin Fray BBC Radio Nottingham reporter
Image source, Getty Images
In the second part of our special Q&A with BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray, we consider what impact European qualification would have on Forest.
Simon asked: Will qualifying for Europe, and in particular clinching a coveted Champions League spot, help to completely remove any future concerns about having to sell a star player to comply with PSR rules?
Colin answered: It will certainly help... but I wouldn't say it would remove the threat all together.
More money would be coming into the club - significantly more if Forest were able to hang on to a Champions League spot. But the squad would also need significant investment to become strong and deep enough to cope with the extra games and travelling, and to avoid a slump in domestic form while playing in Europe. So, more income, but more outgoings too.
Jill asked: When we were successful in Europe in the late 1970s (yes I remember it well), there were fewer games played to reach the European Cup final. Do you think when Forest play in one of the European tournaments next season, they risk performing poorly in the Premier League because of the small squad? They seem to struggle when there is more than one game a week.
Colin: There's a general feeling in football that qualification for European football, while a massive incentive and achievement, does bring with it the potentially major pitfall of having a negative impact on the domestic season.
I think there's little doubt that if Forest DO qualify for Europe, Nuno Espirito will be looking to add strength and depth to his squad to help them try to mitigate that potential danger.
Come back later on Thursday for the third part of our Q&A where Colin takes a deeper look at the current Forest tactics
Listen to full commentary on every Forest game, and In The Game every weeknight from 18:00, on BBC Radio Nottingham.
Forest Q&A: Why the recent dip in form?published at 07:55 7 March
07:55 7 March
Colin Fray BBC Radio Nottingham reporter
Image source, Getty Images
In the first part of our Q&A with BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray, we take a look at Forest's recent form.
Dave asked: While this season has been magnificent so far, to what do you attribute the recent dip in form? Tiredness, quality of opposition, squad depth... ?
Colin: Completely agree with the use of the adjective "magnificent" to describe the season so far. The relative dip in form has to be taken in the context of how outstandingly good Forest were in their December and January run.
To continue to perform at that level, in the Premier League, in every game, was probably unrealistic.
When you factor in the opponents Forest have faced recently - most of whom gave them problems in the first half of the season, too (Bournemouth, Fulham, Newcastle, Arsenal), you can understand why there may have been a dip. That said, they are still third and unbeaten at the City Ground since November.
Return later on Friday for the second part of our Q&A looking at the race for Europe and how it could affect Forest's need to comply with PSR.
Will Gibbs-White get his England opportunity?published at 18:13 6 March
18:13 6 March
Image source, Getty Images
I know Morgan Gibbs-White has been in the England squad before, but I just don't think he's been given the exposure he deserves.
He's another player at Forest whose form has been excellent.
I know we have got lots of 10s and we can argue Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer or Phil Foden should be in there, but I think Gibbs-White is different to them. He can get goals and assists but he also works hard and is playing in a team where you have to be an eight out of 10 every week in order to be in the position they are in.
He hasn't got players around him to carry him so I think you really see his quality and he shines. You can see the difference when he is on the ball in that Forest team.
He has been selected before but not really given an opportunity to show what he can do.
I don't think Foden has been playing performing well for England. If you're going off form this season and consistency, Gibbs-White has to be in there.
I'm sure he will be selected but now it's about whether he has the chance to play and show how he can perform with better players around him.
Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
🎧 Perfect penalties and how to approach Guardiolapublished at 18:02 6 March
18:02 6 March
A new episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast is available to download and listen to on BBC Sounds.
Colin Fray and David Jackson discuss Forest's perfect penalties against Ipswich Town as they booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
They also look at how to deal with Pep Guardiola before Manchester City visit on Saturday.
Nuno on Sels, the City Ground and Man Citypublished at 14:22 6 March
14:22 6 March
Josh Lobley BBC Sport journalist
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Satruday's Premier League game against Manchester City (kick-off 12:30).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Nuno was non-committal about the fitness of his squad: "They are still recovering [from Monday's match], but they are better. We are still recovering and assessing players."
The visit of champions Manchester City will not affect how his side prepare for this game: "Nothing changes. We have to realise that we are playing a very good team who have a coach that has a big impact on the game. But it's the same approach."
After his impressive performance for Liverpool on Wednesday, Nuno was asked if Alisson is the best goalkeeper in the world: "For me, it's Matz Sels!"
He was asked to unpack the improvement in Sels' game this season: "It's his confidence and the help of the team - we are more solid and compact. There is a big improvement in our defensive shape and that reflects on Matz. He is able to give us confidence and is always there to give us a hand when needed."
On Forest's form at the City Ground: "Some players enjoy playing there so much and that reflects on the performance of the team. More than anything, it is the fans and the help that they give us and the noise they make when the opponents are on the ball. It is huge for us to play here."