Manchester City

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.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

This is an unusual end to the season for Manchester City.

Normally at this time, they would be juggling Premier League title and Champions League demands, usually with an FA Cup campaign thrown in as well.

This season, they are still in the FA Cup but have just had a blank midweek due to their European defeat by Real Madrid and are in a reasonably positive position when it comes to qualifying for next season's Champions League, especially as five English teams are almost certain to qualify.

There is still the Club World Cup to come in June and July but now it seems we are on a slow run to the end of the season.

Manager Pep Guardiola doesn't quite see it that way.

"Pressure is always there at big clubs," he said. "You do your best, it doesn't matter what you are playing for.

"We accept the reality to try to finish in the top four."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Defender Nathan Ake is expected to be side lined after his foot surgery for 10-11 weeks. Guardiola added: "When you have surgery it's serious. He has struggled a lot this season with the problems in his feet."

• He confirmed a "central defender form the academy has come to train with us" because of the ongoing injury crisis to the back line.

• He said they have "had more time to rest and train more" in their seven day game absence, which is "absolutely" beneficial for his team.

• On Jack Grealish catching attention again this week at a social club: "He's so famous. People follow him. I have nothing to comment."

• He said the pressure on him and the team "is different" now to any in the previous seasons but that is because pressure is always there in big clubs.

• Guardiola added: "You have to pressure yourself to do your best no matter what you're playing for."

• On opponents Forest: "It is quite simple. When you're third in the table with 11 games left it is because you have done really, really well. It's impressive. They defend really well, are compact and aggressive."

• When asked how big of a threat they are to a top four finish: "There are many different clubs fighting for this target. Everyone wants to be in the Champions League next season for many reasons. If it doesn't happen then it's because we haven't been good enough and the other teams deserve it."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Manchester City have a strong interest in Atalanta's Brazil midfielder Ederson, although Manchester United and Liverpool have also asked about the availability of the £50m-rated 25-year-old. (Caught Offside), external

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Barcelona are considering a move for Newcastle's 27-year-old Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who is also of interest to Arsenal and Manchester City. (CaughtOffside), external

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Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest are winless in their past nine league games against Manchester City (D2 L7), since a 3-2 win at Maine Road in the second tier in December 1997.

Since the start of November, this is Manchester City's eighth Premier League game starting the day in the top four of the table. They have taken just one point from the previous seven in this run, conceding at least twice in each (19 in total).

Manchester City are tracking 27-year-old AC Milan and France left-back Theo Hernandez. (Caught Offside), external

Pep Guardiola's side also want to bring in Leicester City's Jeremy Monga but will have to go through a tribunal to agree a compensation fee for the 15-year-old English winger. (Sun), external

Finally, England attacker Jack Grealish, 29, could leave Manchester City this summer. (Mail), external

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Freddie Pye
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Pep Guardiola is right. FA Cup success would not represent a good season for Manchester City

Rewind to 2011 when the success over Stoke City ended a run of 35 years without a major trophy, it was a victory that started a new era at the football club.

Now in 2025, it would be almost unimaginable to suggest to any supporter present at Wembley on that day that another FA Cup success would not represent a good season for the club.

But that is the reality of the modern City - a team that has been an all-conquering behemoth in English football with their triumphs and records under Guardiola.

Everyone associated with the club is aware of this season's struggles. From early exits in the Carabao Cup and Champions League to the fall of their Premier League title challenge as early as November, as well as the widespread injury and fitness issues, there has been a significant drop-off in performances.

City face a monumental challenge to qualify for the Champions League so success in the FA Cup, where all the most stern challengers are already out, could arguably be viewed as the bare minimum.

Winning the competition would paper over the cracks in a season that has brought very little to smile about and that is a view that is shared by the head coach, with Guardiola recently saying the campaign would still be viewed as "not good".

And while City may be viewed as favourites to claim the world's most illustrious domestic knockout competition, Bournemouth away in the quarter-finals remains a firm challenge before they can even contemplate a place at Wembley .

But let's get things straight; while the FA Cup may not make it a good season as a whole for City, the idea of major silverware to end a campaign of disappointment remains a mouth-watering possibility.

And that is particularly for the players who may be featuring in their final matches for City over the final weeks of the season.

Find more from Freddie Pye at City Xtra, external

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is set to make a decision on the long-term future of forward Jack Grealish amid plans for a squad overhaul. (Football Insider, external)

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We asked for your views on Manchester City's performance in beating Championship side Plymouth in the FA Cup fifth round.

Here are some of your comments:

Franek: I was at the Etihad and I would just like to take a moment to applaud the away fans. They were so loud, even at full-time. However, at the end of the day, a win is a win. I was surprised when Haaland assisted De Bruyne - it's usually vice versa! Nico O'Reilly really burst on to the scene with two crucial goals. I have a feeling about him. I don't know what exactly but it's certainly a feeling...

Steve: O'Reilly was excellent, but City's performance from corners was poor. Plymouth had one corner and scored, City had loads of corners before O'Reilly got the winner.

Sean: I thought it was a professional performance and eventually our quality shone through. We had a lot of the ball and they were always going to get tired. They defended well and made it difficult for us.

Andrew: Plymouth had one corner and four long throw-ins in 95 minutes. Other than that, they had all 11 players behind the ball. It was only right that City won the game for playing football. Leyton Orient created more chances in the previous round!

John: A tough game, despite the difference in league status, but City knew what they had to do. Although O'Reilly got two goals, the 'old timers' shone through with great performances from De Bruyne, Silva and Grealish. Bring on the next round.

Manchester City and Manchester United are keeping a close eye on Portugal winger Francisco Trincao, although Sporting hope to agree a new contract with the 25-year-old. (A Bola - in Portuguese), external

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The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals has been made. Here are the four ties in the order they were drawn.

Games will be played over the final weekend of March.

• Fulham v Crystal Palace

• Preston v Aston Villa

• Bournemouth v Manchester City

• Brighton v Nottingham Forest/Ipswich

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola flagged another defensive injury concern following his side's FA Cup fifth round win against Plymouth.

John Stones and Manuel Akanji are already on the sidelines, and Nathan Ake failed to return for the second half as Ruben Dias partnered youngster Vitor Reis.

The 19-year-old was making only his second appearance following his January transfer window move from Brazilian club Palmeiras.

No wonder Guardiola is grateful the club bought in Reis and Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov, who wasn't involved against the Championship strugglers.

"We have another central defender out for a long time," said Guardiola in his post-match news conference. "I'm so grateful for Khusanov and Reis, without them we don't have any chance to qualify for the Champions League next season or fight for FA Cup.

"We would have Ruben [Dias] and that would be it. It is a miracle they are here."